KARACHI: President Site Association of Industry (SAI), Abdul Hadi has showed serious concerns over gas shortage, low gas pressure, power load shedding and water shortage which is making impossible to survive in these economic conditions.
He said that exports from Site Industrial Area can be increased by 30 percent if government assures availability of uninterrupted utilities at competitive prices with its competitors in export market.
He expressed these views in a meeting with journalists at the Site Association of Industry here on Wednesday. He said that globally electricity, water and gas are cheaper as compared to Pakistan due to which the cost of industrial production in Pakistan is higher than its competing countries. Pakistan cannot compete in exports with its competitors owing to price difference.
He said, “If the government fails to pay attention to our demands, particularly those pertaining to improving the dilapidated infrastructure in Site Industrial Area and provision of uninterrupted gas, electricity and water supplies, the industrial community has no way to compete with its competitors in export market.”
He mentioned that SSGC has reduced the gas pressure, making it impossible for all the industrial units to carry out their production activities.
Abdul Hadi said that gas rates for five zero-rated sectors in Karachi have been increased from Rs786 to Rs930 per MMBTU, which is tantamount to taking us out of the competitive environment. If closed, capital will flow out as industries are turning into warehouses.
The President said that the condition of infrastructure in site industrial area has deteriorated, roads are in very bad condition due to which delivery of finished goods is also severely affected.
He pointed out that the government is saying that exports should be increased and added that if basic utilities are not available how could exports be increased.
Zubair Motiwala stressed that gas being produced in Sindh must first be provided to its inhabitants and industries and only surplus gas should be supplied to other provinces as per Article 158 of the Constitution.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2020
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