PRGMEA calls to exempt cotton yarn from all duties

SIALKOT: The regional president of International Apparel Federation (IAF) and Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PRGMEA) chief coordinator Ijaz A Khokhar has urged upon the government that cotton yarn, the major raw material of apparel sector, should be exempted from all duties and taxes to encourage value addition. Talking to journalists on Sunday, he highlighted salient futures of PRGMEA budget proposals submitted to the government. He added that apparel industry should be allowed to import fabric under the SRO 492 scheme as the weaving industry of the country is unable to fulfill the growing demand for fashion wear. He said we have suggested in our budget proposals that one window operation should be introduced for replacing lengthy procedures which involves several agencies adding that government agencies were harassing the textile industry. The government will receive more taxes if a reasonable percentage of realised amount is deducted at source, adding that Social Security, EOBI and other taxes should be merged and deducted at sources he said. Ijaz said many SMEs will be added in tax net automatically. Under the prevailing circumstances we suggest that government should concentrate on formulating Aggressive Marketing Plan for expanding the radius of exports of the country, he said adding that in this regard we should explore non-traditional markets for introducing homemade products in these markets. The IAF regional chief emphasised the needed of transferring industrial technology (Technical knowledge) from China and other countries aimed at bringing innovation, improving the products and production of new products. He further said at this critical juncture we were direly needed a stimulus economic plan coupled with relief package by the government to ensure the production wheel in full motion to filling the gap developed by Covid-19. Ijaz said under circumstances government should focus attention of establishing regional, provincial and central level task force and formulation of sector wise and regional polices which would help the government not only in resolve the problems confronted by the exporters but also their needs. Special funds out Export Development Fund (EDF) should be allocated for research and development in accordance with the concerned industrial sectors for bringing innovation and to improve the standard of products to cope with challenges of global market, he added.