Page 8 - January-February-2017

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Trade Enhancement Rs.162 billion for the modernization and the last crop season (2016-17). This season the
development of textile sector was a big
expect cotton production was 10.5 million as
compared to 9.07 million bales produced in the
achievement for Ministry of Textile in years 2016.
Package The sector got Rs.162 billion from Rs.180 billion last session. News
the “Trade Enhancement Package” announced
In the first stage about 500 master trainers from
by Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif. The
package is for the coming 18 months starting agriculture departments and ginners association
from January 2017 to June 2018. “The purpose of would be trained. In the next step, they will train
Rs. 162 billion for the textiles sector this package is to enhance the exports of the the cotton growers across the country and make
sure they are capable of dealing with any kind of
country,” said so was by APP.
outbreak of pest or any other insect. In the first
The officials also mentioned that the government stage, about 10,000 farmers are trained the pest
has decided to offer drawback on duties in management. This kind of training will surely help
garment sector for about 7%, process fabric with them to deal with the pest attack and reduce the
5%, and made-up with 6% in the coming 18 risk of damage to the crop, resulting in higher
months. In addition, the government gives a end results.
relaxation on the import of textile machinery in
order to modernize and enhance the capacity of As a review of the meeting, the experts in the
a textile sector of Pakistan. This package will be meeting agreed on the legislation to improve the
of great help to decrease the cost of business cotton yield and in this way cotton will remain the
and as a result will enhance the business prime contributor to the economy of Pakistan.
activities. The government has also announced Further, it was told that the project development
16 new varieties of cotton to enhance the and innovation wing of the ministry of Pakistan
production and growth of the textile sector in have also initiated a number of projects to bring
Pakistan. The Ministry has also started a training more innovation in the textile industry. In this
program for the cotton grower to educate them manner, 1000 stitching units are planned to be
well about pest control management and crop established in all districts of the country.
management, as this will surely have an impact
on the production of the crop. At the same time, a small incubator industry is also
proposed for the development of public sector
About 5,000 progressive workers and farmers 2017-17. The purpose of this step is to persuade
from field extension and provincial agricultural the upcoming entrepreneurs from Vietnam and
department had trained in the initial phase. Malaysia. At the same time, the government of
Further, it was told that the ministry has already Pakistan has focused on providing an uninterrupted
trained about 5,000 cotton farmers to deal with electricity and gas to the textile sector that will surely
climatic changes and pink bollworm attack work as a huge support to the growth and
control. The cotton production target was revised sustainability of the industry and the country at the
to 11.272 million bales for current sowing season same time. A complete report on the package is included
as against the set targets of 14.5 million bales for in the reports section of the magazine.