ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Ishaq Dar had an interactive session with representatives of the textile industry, considering their proposals for the upcoming budget 2015-16. Chairman FBR, Tariq Bajwa and Advisor Finance Division, Rana Assad Amin were also present in the session.
The minister was apprised of the issues and difficulties faced by the textile industry of which energy, the senior representatives observed, was the major problem.
They opined that the textile sector faced stiff competition and challenges from textile industries of other countries in the region which affected textile exports from Pakistan. If only, they could be sure of regular supply of gas which was an economical source of energy for the textile sector, they would be in a position to streamline production process and try to match the quality products from other countries.
The Minister agreed that energy problem was affecting the whole economy including the textile sector but serious efforts were being made to resolve the issue. He said promotion of textile industry was the key to overall industrial and economic development in the country. He added that the textile sector would be facilitated in the next budget as much as possible but the fact remained that all sectors had an obligation to pay taxes to strengthen the economy. The government wanted to strengthen the role of textile sector as the leading foreign exchange earner for the country. For achieving this objective, joint efforts by the government and the industry itself were required, the Minister added.
Those who attended the meeting included Mr. M. Zubair Motiwala, Council of Pakistan Textile Association, Mr. Jawed Bilwani, Pakistan Apparel Forum, Mr. Saleem Pakekh, Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers & Exporters Association, Mr. Ijaz A. Khokhar, Pakistan Readymade Garment Manufacturers & Exporter Association, Mr. Khwaja Mohammad Usman, Pakistan Cotton Fashon Apparels Manufacturers & Exporters Association, Mr. Rafiq Habib Godil, Pakistan Knitwear and Sweater Exporters Association, Syed Aasim Shah, All Pakistan Bed Sheets and Upholstery Manufactures Association, Mr. Khalid Kandil, All Pakistan Cotton Power Looms Assn, Mr. Khalid Habib Sheikh, All Pakistan Textile Processing Mills Association, Mr. Saikh Ayub, APTPMA, Mr. Pervaiz, APTPMA Lahore and Mr. Amjad Khan, APTPMA.
