Value-added textile industry associations have opposed a proposal of banning the import of textile raw materials, saying the local textile industry is unable to produce these raw materials. While talking to Business Recorder, Chairman of Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PRGMEA), Ijaz Khokhar admitted that the leadership of the All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) had held a series of meetings with him.
"They have shared the relief sought from the government," he revealed. APTMA has submitted a seven-point proposal including zero-rate regime for textile industry, extension of a long-term finance scheme for ginning and spinning industry, exports refinance facility to the entire textile value chain on deemed export basis including spinning and weaving sub-sectors, announcement of five percent export incentive to capture non-traditional markets, special electricity tariff for textile industry, zero Customs duty on import of yarn in China from Pakistan under revision of the Free Trade Agreement and strengthening of domestic commerce by introducing tariff measures for countering informal trade and dumped imports.
PRGMEA chairman said, "We have supported the relief package sought by APTMA barring the import of textile raw materials. Readymade garments manufacturers have opposed the idea of banning the import of raw materials, because any such support will be tantamount to signing their death warrant. The value-added sector is heavily dependent on imported raw materials for value addition therefore the readymade garments manufacturers have made clear that they will not support it." He said the textile industry is producing only denim which was insufficient to meet the readymade garments requirement of the world.
The value-added textile exports have reached to US four billion dollars and they have planned to take it to US 10 billion dollars in the next five years," he added.
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