RECORDER REPORT
LAHORE: Group leader APTMA Gohar Ejaz has said textile industry has failed to produce a single job during last five years due to energy crisis and absence of market access to the world markets.
He was talking to visiting delegation of US journalists at the APTMA on Saturday afternoon. Central Chairman APTMA Ahsan Bashir, Vice Chairman APTMA Wisal Monnoo and Convener of International Trade Committee Amir Fayyaz were also present on the occasion.
The group of US journalists is on the tour of Pakistan under the Pakistan-US Journalists Exchange programme in collaboration with Pildat. Dr Shabbir Cheema, Senior Programme, Expert Senior Fellow, Governance and Security, East-West Centre Research Programme, Ms Ann Hartman, Coordinator and Pildat representative Jawdat Bilal led the delegation to APTMA.
Gohar said the industry was producing 15 million jobs to produce $12 billion exports, having the capacity of hiring another 15 million jobs with the level of capacity installed to manufacture export goods. The edge of zero rating facility to the competitors was making industry incapacitated, putting the industry into odd situation due to the prevailing disadvantages, he added.
According to him, the industry has installed capacity of $22 billion exports but some $10 billion capacity is not in use due to energy crisis and market access issues.
Chairman APTMA Ahsan Bashir said the APTMA was a premier association in Pakistan and playing leading role in policy making of the government. The textile industry has 46 percent share in manufacturing sector of Pakistan, absorbing 38 percent labour force of the country. The industry is generating 4000MW through Captive Power Plants (CPPs) to meet energy needs.
Convener International Trade Committee Amir Fayyaz said the industry had lost $10 billion during last five years due to war against terrorism and negative mindset of international community towards Pakistan.
He said the industry had a challenge as how to break that mindset and win the confidence of the world markets. The APTMA has decided to hold road shows in leading international markets where top notches from retailing world will be invited to speak. The industry issues can be handled through job creation, as the industry has quality production despite the prevailing risk perception.
The visiting delegation also raised valuable questions to understand the trade issues with the US.
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