Record 33 percent decrease in trade deficit, modest increase in export and foreign remittances is indicative of the fact that economy has been put on right track after clearing the economic mess created by previous governments, said Madam Aliya Hamza Malik Parliamentary Secretary Textile.
She was addressing the annual dinner of the All Pakistan Bed Sheets and Upholstery Manufacturers Association (APBUMA) here late last night. The dinner was also attended by Former President Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI) Mian Muhammad Idrees, Chairman National Group Mian Javaid Iqbal, President Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry Syed Zia Alumdar Hussain, former President FCCI Muhammad Saeed Sheikh, Head of R&D Department Ministry of Textile Qamar Usman and former chairman APBUMA Umran Mehmood.
Aliya Hamza Malik said that she would not tint economic issues but it is hard fact that it has been put on the right track. "Government is fully aware of the importance of textile sector which has 60 percent share in national economy and was providing 40 percent jobs to the Pakistani workforce", she said.
She said that we are convinced to facilitate textile sector and it was in this context that electricity and gas tariff had been reduced. She further said that duty draw back claims of Rs 50 billion were cleared last year while another Rs 38 billion has been allocated in this budget. She said that economic indicators are positive, however, we must make collaborated efforts to overcome the prevailing problems. She said that apparently there is communication gap between government and textile sector. "I shall try my best to bridge the trust deficit between government and textile exporters", she said and added that next textile policy is being drafted and in this connection all stakeholders would be consulted. She also assured to give due representation to Faisalabad in textile taskforce and other related committees.
She assured on behalf of the government, Prime Minister Imran Khan and Textile Ministry that serious efforts would be made to revive dynamism of textile sector.
Quoting Former Finance Minister Asad Umar, she said that he is still part of PTI and our collective efforts have yielded positive results. She said that government is committed to root out corruption and economy has witnessed positive trends due to our prudent policies and strategies. She also indicated that Pakistan has improved its ranking in Ease of Doing Business and now foreign investments are pouring in, however, she would take up the ticklish issue of refund claims. She requested the traders to be patient so that government could resolve their problems of imminent nature.
Arif Ehsan Malik chairman APBUMA welcomed the guests and participants and said that this Association was established in 1984. "Its head office is in Multan while Zonal Offices are housed in Faisalabad, Karachi and Lahore. About yearly performance, he told that APBUMA office was shifted to new purpose build office on Canal Road with all related facilities. He said that APBUMA established its own pavilion in Texpo while 20 stands were rented out to its members. About problems faced by the textile sector in general and SME'S in particular, he said that 17 percent sale tax will deprive them from their entire investment just within 6 months. "We had detailed meetings with Federal Minister Hammad Azhar and Chairman FBR Shabbar Zaidi but they had also shown there helplessness in this matter.
He also demanded representation of APBUMA in task force on textile, Faisalabad Garment City and other related committees. Later Qamar Usman head of the R&D section of Textile Division responded to the questions and queries asked by the APBUMA members.