Business community lauds uninterrupted gas supply to zero rated sector

ISLAMABAD: The business community Wednesday hailed the government's decision of uninterrupted gas supply to the zero rated export oriented sectors saying that the gas supply to more than 2,000 industrial units would help them in boosting their production across Sindh and Balochistan thus saving employment of millions of people and increasing volume of country's exports.

The Businessmen Panel (BMP) of Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Chairman Mian Anjum said in a statement that both institutions responsible for gas supply will conveniently manage the load for industrial sector with provision of extra gas, as decided in the Economic Coordination Committee of the Cabinet (ECC).

Secretary textile will coordinate with ministry of petroleum for implementation of this decision effective from September 27, while ministry of finance is working on the mechanism for implementation of the decision.

He said the ECC decision to provide uninterrupted gas supply to zero rated and captive power industry in winter season and provision of 12 MMCFD gas to SNGPL from Dhok Hussain and 10 MMCFD gas from Bitrism gas field to SSGCL is appreciative and in accordance to the demand of the business community.

The BMP has issued a detailed statement on the closure of gas to the important industrial sector in winter and raised its voice on different forums; as a result, the decision has been reverted, while the federation’s leadership kept silent on this important issue pertaining to industrial sector of the Country.

He said immediate and new export friendly policies are vital to support and increase Country’s exports, without which the control over trade deficit is impossible.

Meanwhile Pakistan Textile Exporters Association (PTEA) in a statement also thanked Prime Minister Imran Khan and his entire economic team for release of Rs 8.74 billion for payment of outstanding sales tax refunds and setting RLNG price of $6.5 per MMBTU for both processing and captive use in textile value chain.

"These visionary initiatives will act as a driving force towards an economically stable and prosperous Pakistan," it said adding that textile exporters are confident that other irritants will also e removed as a sizable growth in exports.