LAHORE – As the import of fine count cotton yarn has reached to 30,000 tons in 2014 against 6,500 tons in 2012, India is capturing Pakistan’s domestic market of the sector by design, the All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) disclosed and suggested that it can be thwarted by imposing 15 percent Regulatory Duty on import of subsidised fine count cotton yarn, predominantly from India.
Pakistan produces 200,000 tons fine count cotton yarn annually, out of which only 65,000 tons is exported while 135,000 tons is consumed in the domestic market, as per official data.
APTMA spokesman said the neighbouring country has offered 10 percent rebate on export of fine count cotton yarn simply to dump it in domestic commerce of Pakistan. The future of 30 mills manufacturing fine count cotton yarn is at stake and employment of hundreds and thousands of workers is under threat, h eadded.
“It is alarming to note that import of fine count cotton yarn has reached to 30,000 tons in 2014 against 6,500 tons in 2012. The import data of fist six months of current fiscal reveals that 3000 tons per month fine count cotton yarn is entering Pakistan from India,” he said. He added that 90pc of imports are originating from India on the basis of unstructured rebate to its manufacturers.
