Suleman Chawla said that textile industry is the backbone of national economy, having major share in total exports of the country. Therefore, there is a need to take effective steps to make the industry stand on its own feet.

Chawla further said that the business community has backed every decision of the Sindh Government in the national interest to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. They kept their industries closed for almost two months. Now the government is allowing them to reopen subject to following of SOPs.

However, there is a need to open downstream industries and entire value-chain of textile sector as all are inter-connected. "Government has allowed opening of export industries only. Until & unless all downstream industries are opened, opening of export industries will not benefit much," he remarked.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020