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Prgmea appeals PM to Bangladesh's share in apparel

declare ‘export emergency’ export market reaches 6.46%

In 2017, in the global export market of apparel, the 7 percent growth has been registered last year in
share of Bangladesh was 6.46 percent as per the imports and the country’s global textile import share
latest statistics by the World Trade Organization is 2.76 percent.
(WTO). Whereas, in the preceding year, as
compared to the duration under review the global Vietnam has shown growth in clothing export by 8
apparel export market share was 6.36 percent in percent last year with a 5.90 percent global share
2016. Annually the export apparel products rose by over 5.54 percent in 2016 and was ranked fourth in
2 percent to $29.33 billion in 2017 from $28.22 the world followed by India whose share is 4.10
billion in 2016, according to the World Trade percent with an annual export growth of 2 percent
Statistical Review 2018. in 2017.

Followed by China, Bangladesh has succeeded by Turkey registered as the fifth largest exporter of
maintaining its ranking as the third largest global clothing and China registered zero growth in their
exporter of clothing as well as retained its rank as annual exports as compared to last year. China
the fifth largest importer of textile across the world further lost its global share which has declined to
by importing $9.41 billion worth of textile products. 34.90 percent in 2017 against 36.40 percent in 2016.

3 Special Economic Zones

(SEZ) in Pakistan have

Prgmea (Pakistan Readymade Garments textile products. become operational
Manufacturers and Exporters Association),
welcomes Prime Minister Imran Khan’s vision to Increasing exports can reduce the trade deficit
boost exports and has urged to declare an export which can only happen by certain measures such as According to the Board of Investment (BOI), three (SEZ) in the federal capital for providing equal
emergency in the country as the trade account formulation of policies to resolve issues faced by Special Economic Zones (SEZ) in the country have opportunity and facilities to foreign and local
deficit has increased by 40 pc in the current fiscal textile industry sub sectors. Different sub sectors have become operational and have started production. investors. Also, that nine more Prioritized Special
year to $18 billion. different requirements and cannot have same policies. While by June, 2019 the remaining six will be Economic Zones (PSEZs) would also be
rationalized as well. SEZs are a source of established in Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,
According to Mr Sheikh Luqman Amin, Senior Vice Prgmea also stressed on the early release of employment and development. Balochistan, Northern Areas and Federally
Chairman Prgmea, the desire and potential to revive refunds. The government should clear outstanding Administered Tribal Areas.”
Pakistan industry is present but unfortunately an refunds to revive liquidity of businesses and protect Karachi, Faisalabad and Haripur have sold their Furthermore, the BOI official also suggested
agenda based on research and analysis is the textile industry from collapsing. land as well as their operational for production for Pakistani investors to joint venture with foreign
unavailable and the debt and account deficits are last three months. Islamabad SEZ will be planned investors to learn and experience international
on a rise. and developed by the National Industrial Parks management skills and technology. He said that
The government needs to work in consultation with Company (NIP). SEZ investors will be facilitated to import plant and
Prgmea largely contributes in the economy by the industry stakeholders to resolve the challenges machinery without custom duty. SEZs will be
generating foreign exchange earnings, employment regarding exports growth, high cost of doing A BOI official commented, “We require around 50 established in Sindh, Punjab and Khyber
in the textile industry and exports up to $5 billion business, exchange rate and market accessibility. acre land to develop Special Economic Zones Pakhtunkhwa, three in each.

August/September 2018 August/September 2018