Page 19 - February-March-2018

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Speaker NA assures of resolving

textile industry issues in Punjab Exports increased by upto15

percent in February

Adviser to the Prime Minister on Economic Affairs Miftah Ismail has said the country’s exports have increased
by up to 15 percent in the month of February this year while increase in imports remained at 8 per cent only
due to some duties imposed by the government. Further improvements would be made in the exports sector
and incentive package would be announced soon.

He said the matter of circular debt would be resolved soon as the Economic Coordination Committee has
approved a plan presented by the ministry of power to settle circular debt and work on it would get started
soon. Miftah said the government had to bear a loss of Rs.110 billion in power sector so the government has to
The textile industry associations have urged the Speaker of Aamir Fayyaz said the government should either enhance recoveries as power generation had also increased in the country. There was need of better
National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq to help resolve secure a uniform energy price from the federal enforcement to increase recoveries rather to put burden of extra tariff on those consumers who were already
the revival issues, particularly the energy price government or bear the price differential. He said an paying bills regularly.
difference between Punjab and rest of the provinces. early resolution of the industry issues would enable
prospective investors to undertake investment
While assuring the industry association of playing a initiatives to produce exportable surplus to double
role of facilitator and hold meeting with concerned the exports.
ministers for arriving at a solution acceptable to the
industry, Speaker National Assembly said all the The textile industry leadership said the prevailing U.S. Textile, Fiber trade
stakeholders will also be taken into to confidence. He disparity in the energy price in Punjab was more than
hoped that the issue of the restoration of viability and double to the energy price for mills in other associations announce merger
growth of industry would be resolved in the larger provinces. All the manufacturing units of spinning,
interest of the country and economic security. weaving, dyeing, readymade garments, hosiery,
towel and other sectors are becoming redundant fast The National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO) AFMA Chairman Mark Ruday, Senior Vice President,
He visited the All Pakistan Textile Mills Association with every passing day. Workers of these mills are and the American Fiber Manufacturers (AFMA) DAK Americas, Charlotte, N.C. said, “AFMA’s merger
(APTMA) Punjab office on Saturday. Central being laid off day in and day out. Also, both the announced a merger of their respective organizations with NCTO will allow U.S. fiber producers to keep the
Chairman APTMA Aamir Fayyaz, group leader backward and forward linkages and allied sectors of effective April 1, 2018. sector’s seat at the federal policy table.”
APTMA Gohar Ejaz and representatives from all the textile industry are facing the brunt of the situation
major associations, including APTMA, Pakistan across Punjab. NCTO Chairman William V. “Bill” McCrary Jr., “As a multi-billion industry with tens of thousands of
Readymade Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Chairman & CEO, William Barnet & Son, employees, it is critical that the U.S. man-made fiber
Association, Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers Speaking on the occasion, group leader APTMA Spartanburg, S.C. said, “The NCTO merger with sector stay engaged in Washington,” Ruday continued.
Association, Council of Power Looms Association, Gohar Ejaz pointed out that the textile industry in AFMA strengthens the U.S. textile industry’s ability to
Pakistan Textile Exporters Association, All Pakistan Punjab is paying Rs1300 per MMBTU for RLNG influence federal policy. It brings new members and The merged organization will be called by the name
National Council of Textile Organizations, and NCTO
Textile Processing Mills Association and Pakistan against Rs600 per MMBTU in other provinces. financial resources to NCTO and extends the President & CEO Auggie Tantillo will continue in that
Sweater Exporters Association welcomed him at the Similarly, the imposition of Rs3.60 per kWh electricity organization’s political reach.” position.
Association office. surcharge in the electricity bills is being charged
unfairly which cannot be passed on to the buyers in “It also cements NCTO’s status as the voice of every U.S. employment in the textile supply chain was
Representatives of textile industry associations, the international marketplace. He said the business facet of the U.S. textile production chain, a fact that 550,500 in 2017. The value of shipments for U.S.
presented the issues being faced by the equation in Punjab is being heavily distorted, leading will help NCTO to more effectively influence federal textiles and apparel was $77.9 billion last year, a 16%
Punjab-based textile industry to the visiting Speaker. to the closure of mills in every sector of the industry. policies that affect U.S. textile investment, production increase since 2009. U.S. exports of fiber, textiles and
They demanded for securing uniform energy price and workers,” McCrary added. apparel were $28.6 billion in 2015.
across the country. Representatives from other textile industry value
added associations said the textile industry, as a
While apprehending a closure of the Punjab-based matter of fact, has become uncompetitive both within
textile industry due to the energy price disparity, the country as well as the region.

February/March 2018 February/March 2018