RECORDER REPORT

KARACHI: The value-added textile sector has urged the government to accord genuine priority to the sector and immediately allow duty-free import of cotton yarn through presidential ordinance or act of Parliament failing which the government shall be responsible for the unrest in exporters which will lead to countrywide protest.

The value-added textile sector is continuously drawing the attention of the government through appeals towards unavailability and shortage of cotton yarn - which is basic raw material since last five months but to no avail.

This was articulated at a joint press conference by chairman Council of All Pakistan Textile Associations Muhammad Zubair Motiwala, Pakistan Apparel Forum chairman Muhammad Jawed Bilwani, Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers & Exporters Association central chairman Riaz Ahmed, Towel Manufacturers’ Association of Pakistan vice chairman Aamir Lari, former chairman of Pak Readymade Garments Manufacturers & Exporters Association Sh Shafiq, former chairman of Pakistan Knitwear & Sweaters Exporters Association Kamran Chandna, Pakistan Cloth Merchants’ Association chairman Abdus Samad Shekhani, Pakistan Bedwear Exporters Association chairman Rehmat Naveed Elahi, Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers & Exporters Association chairman Tariq Munir, Pakistan Bedwear Exporters Association vice chairman Danish Javed, SITE Association of Industry president Abdul Hadi.

Inconsiderate response tantamount to government’s lack of priority and non-seriousness to enhance value-added textile exports which contribute to around 62 percent in total exports, provide 42 percent urban employment particularly to female workforce, earn highest foreign exchange and supports approx 40 allied industries. Decreasing 4.5 percent in exports endorses the view point of exporters that unavailability of cotton yarn will shatter the export orders in hand which will eventually be diverted to other competing countries if the cotton yarn is not made available in required quantity. The government is cautioned about the dire consequences and appealed to allow duty free import of cotton yarn and place ban on export of cotton yarn in order to save the exports, industries and employment.

The onus falls on the government to decide whether they want to enhance exports or otherwise tell the export industries to close down? The exporters are highly annoyed that upon crisis of wheat and sugar, the government has allowed duty free import of wheat and sugar and placed ban on their export on one hand and while on the other hand the Government has closed its eyes wide shut towards to looming cotton yarn crisis which is extremely deplorable and discriminatory conduct on part of the Government. Lack of cotton yarn simply means decline in value-added textile exports. Although decrease in cotton crop is a factor which has created a shortfall, however, the demand against the supply is also increased as the Pakistani exporters have struggled hard to achieve no export orders and for this reason, the exports have been increased during last six months.

The exporters also lamented that whenever the value-added textile industry takes off with its full potential, some adverse thing happens and all the hard efforts of exporters are opposed and put at stake due to some anti-exports move from the Government side, like previously announcement of disconnection of gas to captive power plants of export industries which depicted a bleak picture of Pakistani exporters in eyes of foreign buyers worldwide and now the government’s thoughtlessness towards allowing duty free import of cotton yarn will push the export industries towards disaster.

The textile exporters are also highly perturbed over the dubious dealings of spinners who have taken advance payments with commitments to supply cotton yarn but have dishonoured their commitment to supply cotton yarn and if yarn supplied is of sub-standard quality. Aggrieved textile exporters from all over Pakistan have approached the Associations for agitation in order to save their industries.

During the joint press conference, the leaders of the value-added that the crisis of cotton yarn is aggravating due to lack of attention by the government.