KARACHI
The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) has expressed its great anxiety and concern over the strike called by All Pakistan Textile Mills Associations (APTMA), Pakistan Textile Exporters Association, Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers Association, Pakistan Bedsheet Association and 25 other textile related associations which will cause a great damage to the textile industry.
These associations have been contributing around 8 per cent in GDP, more than 60 per cent in exports, and have been providing employment to about 40 per cent of the industrial labor force of Pakistan.
Aamer Ata Bajwa Acting President FPCCI said that the textile industry is already confronted with many challenges including load shedding of gas and electricity and its exports are on a continuous decline.
The textile sector needs support by the government so that it could play a vibrant role in the economy. Any adverse action will not only damage the textile industry but may lead to the closure of many further units, causing a great number of unemployments.
Aamer Ata Bajwa emphasized on Finance Ministry and Commerce Ministry to give ear to the demands of APTMA and other related associations to overcome the present crisis in the best interest of the country.
He also urged the government to release the sales tax refunds and implement the Prime Minister package which was announced in January 2017.
He also demanded to withdraw levy of Rs. 3.63 per kWh surcharge in electricity bill and reduce textile-related imports from China and India in order to salvage the textile industry from its total collapse. Moreover, he added that last year government announced a textile policy (2014-19) which also needs early implementation.
He requested the Prime Minister of Pakistan to intervene in the issue and provide level playing field as the cost of production – particularly the prices of utilities – are very high in Pakistan as compared to regional countries like Vietnam, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka etc. This makes Pakistani goods uncompetitive in the international market.
