CM assures APTMA steady supply of power

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said that he would not let the Punjab-based textile industry close down during winter due to energy shortage.

While talking to a delegation of Aptma, PTMEA, APTPMA and PRGMEA, he said arrangements similar to those made last year would be ensured by the government.

He assured expediting the process of introducing ‘special energy tariff’ for the sector to make it competitive regionally. The proposed tariff was currently under government’s consideration.

The delegation called on the chief minister after concluding the session of the first-ever Textile Summit organised by the Federal Textile Ministry Lahore.

They conveyed their concerns regarding the energy security as well as affordability that were making the Punjab-based textile industry unviable.

They further said that the basic textile exports of yarn and fabric have already slumped 11% and 36% respectively since April due to the two former reasons.

Aptma Chairman S M Tanveer informed the CM that previous year’s arrangement by the government of supplying gas and electricity during winter proved very effective and exports witnessed a rise of $1 billion.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 29^th, 2014.

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