Stakeholders discuss textile industry’s viability

LAHORE, Feb 17 (APP):Textile industry associations met here
at APTMA (All Pakistan Textile Mills Assocation) house on Saturday
to deliberate upon the issues concerning viability of the textile
industry in Punjab.
The meeting was attended by representatives of the APMTA,
Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PRGMEA), Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PHMA), Pakistan Textile Exporters Association (PTEA), All Pakistan
Textile Processing Mills Association (APTPMA), Council of
Powerlooms Association, Pakistan Kintwear and Sweater Exporters
Association (PAKSEA).
They were agreed to call on Punjab Chief Minister for securing
uniform energy price. They also decided to seek Chief Minister’s intervention for an immediate liquidation of the stuck up refunds
of sales tax. While apprehending closure of Punjab-based textile industry, they urged the provincial government to either secure
a uniform energy price from the federal government or bear the price differential.
The textile industry leadership said that manufacturing units of spinning, weaving, dyeing, readymade garments, hosiery, towel
and other sectors were becoming redundant due to energy price disparity. Workers of these mills were being laid off day in and
day out, they said and asserted that both the backward and forward linkages and allied sectors of the textile industry were facing
the brunt of the situation.
They pointed out that textile industry in Punjab was paying Rs 1300 per MMBTU for RLNG against Rs 600 per MMBTU in other
provinces. Similarly, the imposition of Rs 3.60 per kWh electricity surcharge in the electricity bills was being charged unfairly which
cannot be passed on to buyers in international marketplace.
The pending sales tax refunds and duty drawbacks, they mentioned, were also affecting the viability of the industry.
Earlier, APTMA Central Chairman Aamir Fayyaz gave a detailed presentation to the representatives of various associations on
current state of affairs in the textile industry.