MULTAN: New markets would have to be explored besides Japan and European countries to boost the country’s exports, Chairman of All Pakistan Bedsheet and Upholstry Manufacturers Association (APBUMA)Syed Muhammad Aasim Shah said on Tuesday.

Delivering a speech at a seminar on ‘Emerging trends/ issues in home textile serctor’ jointly organised by APBUMA and Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP)here on Tuesday, he said that Japan was the second largest importer of home textile in the world, but Pakistan has no share or inconsiderable share in Japanese market.

He said that Pakistani manufacturers were facing multiple problems such as power outages, higher rates of utility tariffs, intolerance, indiscipline, non-cooperation, depreciation of currency and war against terror.

He said that foreign buyers were scared of the law and order situation in Pakistan and they were moving towards other states. He said it is time for international community to think of ways to compensate Pakistan which was most adversely affected by the war on terror by allowing greater market access. He said that Multan was a centre of home textile and it was exporting 75 percent of home textile products particularly yarn-dyed items.

Aasim Shah said that EU’s waiver of import duties on 75 products, of which 65 were textile products, but the package had not yet been implemented, adding that the country needed for pursuing early implementation of this waiver and access to European market.