ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Textile Industry Abbas Khan Afridi said that the Ministry of Textile Industry was determined and will spare no effort for the uplift of textile sector.
The Federal Minister for Textile stated this while chairing the first meeting of Federal Textile Board (FTB) after its reconstitution in July 2014 in Ministry of Textile.
The minister assured the members that MINTEX was following a multi-pronged strategy to facilitate research and technology up-gradation for the protection and development textile sector.
Members from Pakistan Central Cotton Committee, National Food Security and Research, APTMA, APTPMA, PHMA, PCGA, PRGMEA, National Textile University, Textile Commissioner and Secretary MINTEX attended the meeting.
In this long awaited meeting issues pertaining to declining textile exports, upcoming textile policy, GSP capitalization, seed amendment act, cotton standardization, Textile Cess, EDF, sales tax refunds and deferred payments were discussed in detail.
The members recommended the inclusion of Pakistan Textile Exporters Association, Towel Manufacturer Association, All Pakistan Bed sheets and Uphoisery Manufacturer Association, All Pakistan Denim Manufacturers and Exporters Association, Pakistan Carpet Manufacturers & Exporters Association, Pakistan Bedwear Exporters Association in the Federal Textile Board.
In order to streamline the board’s mandate and effectiveness, it was decided to conduct quarterly meetings of the board. The private members apprised the minister of their grievances in general and pending sales tax refund issue in particular.
They were assured of all out cooperation and support from MINTEX.
It was decided to hold an International Textile Exhibition annually. The first one is planned to be organized in March 2015. While Secretary MINTEX informed that textile policy would be presented in the next ECC meeting and restructuring of the Pakistan Central Cotton Committee was also on the cards.
On the occasion, Rector National Textile University highlighted the performance and achievements of the University.
