LAHORE: The import of man-made fibber yarns has increased to 72300 tons in 2014-15 against 47700 tons in 2012-13.
Similarly, the import of fabric made from man-made fibber yarns has also reached to 562000 square meters in 2014-15 against 180000 square meters in 2012-13.
The competitors of Pakistan textile industry in Far East, China and India are producing man-made fibber yarns, including polyester, viscos and acrylic and fabrics, at comparatively lower energy cost. On the other hand, the textile industry in Pakistan is facing highest energy cost in the region.
All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (Aptma) acting Chairman Shahid Mazhar has said that local industry has first right on the domestic commerce. Hardly a very little quantity of MMF yarns and fabrics are produced for export purposes. Therefore, tariff or non-tariff measures to restrict subsidised import of man-made fibber yarn and fabric would not hurt the production of textile goods meant for exports, he added.