Looking to stitch the sector’s growth

Punjab governor meets members of textile exporters association.

FAISALABAD:

Punjab Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar has said that the government would extend its full support and assistance to the textile sector, leaving no stone unturned to put it back on track.

Addressing members of the Pakistan Textile Exporters Association (PTEA), he said that the GSP Plus status, which the country acquired at the start of the year, would create at least 1 million jobs, boosting the country’s economy and improving the quality of workers’ life.

“The industrial sector is facing multiple problems as a result of which productivity is decreasing day by day,” said Sarwar. “We are not only working diligently to bridge the gap between demand and supply but have chalked out  a comprehensive strategy to overcome energy challenges. With the support of the masses, we will overcome every obstacle faced by the industry,” he said, adding that the government is committed to serving the masses.

Meanwhile, Federal Minister for Textile Industry Abbas Khan Afridi said that the government is fully aware of the problems hindering the textile sector, stressing that industrial pace would be given a boost. He added that the textile ministry will make immediate payments of pending refund claims of exporters. Stakeholders will be taken onboard while formulating policies affecting the textile industry, especially the value addition sector, said the minister.

Newly-elected PTEA Chairman Sohail Pasha presented the annual report of the association and said that the power crisis was the biggest hindrance in the growth of the textile sector. “Pakistani exports are under pressure due to multiple factors,” said Pasha. “Billons of rupees worth of refunds are stuck with the authorities. With the rising cost of production, the energy shortage is adding fuel to the fire.”

Published in The Express Tribune, September 10^th, 2014.

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