Nadeem Babar, Special Assistant to the Petroleum Prime Minister (SAPM), said on Saturday that the federal government of Pakistan is committed to making the textile industry competitive and to helping it achieve its full export potential. The SAPM made its comments addressing the media at the All Pakistan Textile Manufacturers Association (APTMA) office in Punjab, where he was on a visit to hear and understand the issues facing the textile industry.
He said his meeting with the leadership and representatives of APTMA was very fruitful on the topic of Gas Infrastructure Growth Cess (GIDC) and that, within the framework of the judgment of the apex court, the government will guarantee full relief to the industry. According to him, the textile industry is in need of a viable textile policy and the government is committed to taking it forward as soon as possible in order to allow the industry to start foreign exchange operations, create jobs and generate new investments in the country. In addition, unused capacity has been usable and, over the past two months, textile exports have begun to rise. In September, exports are expected to rise by 14 percent.
Adil Bashir, Chairman, APTMA, adds that the organization is working for a feasible textile strategy with the government. He also indicated that companies that use gas for in-house use should be removed from GIDC captive tariff charges. He further suggested that a billing system should be established for the disbursement of SNGPL subsidies to supply gas at $6.5 per MMBtu to the five export-oriented sectors.
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