All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) Chairman SM Tanvir along with a delegation of textile industrialists had a meet with Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Tuesday to discussion about problems faced by the textile sector. Chief Minister Shahbaz talking to the delegation said that the Punjab government has already gone ahead with the development of Quaid-i-Azam Apparel Park project to gain from the GSP Plus status awarded by EU.

An agreement has been signed with the Chinese company for the establishment apparel park where all modern facilities would be provided to textile and garments industry under one roof. This would result in substantial increase in textile exports and developing textile sector could create millions of jobs opportunity.

The government would be also resolving the energy crisis as early as possible as it was essential for the development of industrial sector. In this matter, industrialists and investors are urged to play their role.

The chief minister also focused on increasing the cotton production for which there is strong needs for strengthening its Cotton Research Institute. APTMA to present a solid proposal in this connection.

At the meeting, the chief minister was briefed on the five-year programme for the development of textile industry in the wake of grant of GSP (Generalised System of Preference) Plus status to Pakistan by the European Union.

Pakistan is looking ahead to reaching $26 billion in textile exports during next five years.

Federal Minister for Textile Industry Abbas Khan Afridi, National Assembly Member Pervaiz Malik, Punjab Industries Minister Chaudhary Muhammad Shafique, Chief Minister’s Adviser on Health Khawaja Salman Rafiq, Member Punjab Assembly Dr Ayesha Ghaus Pasha, Chief Minister’s Adviser Dr. Ijaz Nabi and senior officials were also present at the meeting.