Pakistan govt to increase its partaking in shaping textile export

The Government of Pakistan seems to increase its participation in the shaping of textile economy of the country. In the yesteryear viz. 2012-2013, the textile sector had obtained a payout of Rs.2 billion. But the one year performance of the textile industry has invoked the government to make as increase in the investment upto Rs. 3.5 billion.

Economic policies had been initiated by the government in all sectors of economy which significantly increased export of the country during the period July-March 2013-14. As a result of government steps, the textile exports also augmented by 8% generally, while exports in all value added categories showed higher increased i.e. bed wear by 21%, hosiery by 10% and readymade garments by 9%.Productivity benchmarking of ginning, knit processing and knit stitching sector was completed in August 2013.

The Ministry is formulating Textile Policy 2014-19 in consultation with stakeholders to double the exports of textiles sector from present $13 billion to $26 billion, final consultative conference are to be held in Karachi, Lahore and Faisalabad.

According to the one year performance report of the government, the Ministry had given comprehensive proposals for opening up trade with India while protecting the domestic manufacturing to ensure level playing field and as a first step, 5% custom duty on cotton yarn has been restored.

Negotiations are still on with the ILO for introduction of Better Work Programme in Pakistan next year.

The Ministry facilitated Made in Pakistan Readymade Garment Exhibition in Mumbai, India in April 2014.

It has organized 3 awareness seminars on GSP plus while development of fiber diversification plan for wool, silk and polyester including handloom, embroidery specially for Sawat, Charsadda, Kohat etc were initiated.

Increased investment by private sector in first six months of CFY i.e. $ 319 million compared to $ 229 million during same period of previous year. Submission of vocational training programme for 1, 20,000 unskilled workers majority women is also planned in Planning Commission.

The Ministry successfully lobbied with the Ministries of Climate Change and National Food Security for approval of 15 cotton varieties and holding of NBC after three years.

The first ginning institute in Multan had commenced. Pakistan Central Cotton Committee had been submitted to the concerned quarters while research programme with Chinese companies to facilitate increase in cotton yield by 30%, is being initiated, and an area of 60 acres is being provided for trials.

Cotton target of 15.1 million bales was set for the year 2014-15.

The Ministry is formulating first ever Cotton Policy 2014-19 in consultation with the stakeholders and final consultative conference is to be held in June 2014.Cess collection of Rs 50 per bale on imported cotton was initiated while previously it was only on domestically produced cotton which was an anti-export biased.

All the statements are made as given in the one year report of the textile industry which has turned fruitful to the country in terms of revenue and employment.