ISLAMABAD: Rs162 billion for the modernization and development of textile sector was a big achievement for Ministry of Textile in years 2016.
Textile sector has got Rs162 billion from Rs180 billion “Trade Enhancement Package” announced by Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif for coming 18 months from January 2017 to June 2018 to enhance the country’s export, a senior official of Ministry of Textile.
The official said that the government had decided to give drawback on duties in garments by seven percent, process fabric five percent, made ups six percent in the coming 18 months.
The government had also given relaxation on the import of textile machinery for the modernization and to enhance the capacity of the textile sector he said.
Official added that through this package cost of doing business would also decrease help to enhance business activities in the country.” He said that “We introduced 16 new verities in cotton for enhancing the production and growth of textile sector.”
He said the Ministry has started a training programme for cotton growers about pest control and crop management to enhance the cash crop output in the country.
About 5,000 progressive farmers and workers of field extension departments of the provincial agriculture departments had trained initially in the pest control and crop management.
He informed the ministry has already trained about 5,000 cotton farmers about climate change and control of pink bollworm attack on crop.
He said that cotton production target was revised to 11.272 million bales for current sowing season as against the set targets of 14.5 million bales for the crop season of 2016-17.
He said that in first stage about 500 master trainers from food and agriculture departments and ginners association would be trained which would further train growers across the country to control any outbreak of insects on crop.
About 10,000 farmers had trained in first stage on pest management, adding that due to the proper training pest attack was reduced to a lower level during the last crop season,he said. The production of up to Rs10.5 million bales of cotton was expected this season as compared to 9.07 million bales produced in the previous year, he remarked.
While he said the Ministry of Textile has conducted the five-day preliminary meeting of the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) would commence,where delegations comprising government, private sector, officials, scientists and other stakeholders from 28 cotton producing countries has participated in the meeting.
He said that holding of International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) in Pakistan was remarkable achievement for the country,where experts in meeting agree on legislation to improve cotton yield,adding that
they agreed that cotton would continue to be prime contributor in Pakistan’s economy.
Project development and innovation wing of the Ministry, has initiated the different projects of innovations,in this regard 1000 stitching units to be established in all district of the country,the official said.
He said that small incubator industry was also proposed for coming years Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) 2017-17 to persuade the young entrepreneur like Malaysia and vietnam. Replying to a question, he said the government has provided uninterrupted electricity and gas to the textile sector, which proved to be a huge support for textile sector growth in the country.
