Page 15 - TEXtalks March/April 2022
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 LSM grows by 7.6% during the first seven



 months of the current fiscal year: PBS  GSP+ Insights Report



 Large Scale Manufacturing Industries (LSMI)   Statistics (BOS), followed by a 6.9% increase in
 production grew by 7.6 percent during the first   indices monitored by Ministry of Industries and 0.5   highlights Pakistan’s initiatives
 seven months of the current fiscal year com-  percent increase in the products monitored by the
 pared to last year's corresponding period,   Oil Companies Advisory Committee (OCAC).
 Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). The LSMI
 Quantum Index Number (QIM) was recorded at   The major sectors that showed positive growth   to promote textiles
 120 points during July-January (2021-22) against   during July-January (2021-22) included textile
 111.5 points during July-January (2020-21),   (2.9%), food (3.4%), beverages (2.5%), tobacco
 showing a growth of 7.6%, according to the   (21.9%), wearing apparel (18.3%), leather
 latest PBS data. On a year-on-year basis (YoY),   products (4.5%), wood products (172.2%), paper
 the industry rose by 8.2% during January 2022   and board (8.2%), coke and petroleum products
 compared to January 2021.   (0.5%), chemicals (5.4), Chemical products
 (15.5%), automobiles (63.5%), iron and steel
 The highest increase of 9.7% was witnessed in   products (17.52%), furniture (553.%),automobiles   Pakistan is all set to launch the Better Work Program   preventing travel to the country and holding
 the indices monitored by the Provincial Board of   (63.5%) and other manufacturing (22.2%).  (BWP) soon, which will enable the country to   face-to-face consultations slowed progress, but the
              achieve decent work standards, especially in the   program is now staffed and commencing
              export-oriented Textiles and Apparel sector, as   operations.
              highlighted in the report GSP+ Insights Pakistan.
              The report “GSP+ Insights Pakistan” further      While Pakistan’s imports from the EU member
              revealed that the country is co-funding ILO BWP   states have also increased from 3.31 billion Euros in
              through Export Development Fund, with support    2013 to 5.59 billion Euros in 2021, representing an
              from European Commission. According to the       increase of 69%. EU GSP Plus is a mutually
              statistics mentioned in a report, Pakistan’s exports   beneficial arrangement leading to exports increase
                                                               for both Pakistan and the EU. GSP Plus has played
 Global Recycling Day 2022  promotes   2013 to 6.64 billion Euros in 2021, registering an   an important role in the expansion of bilateral trade.
              to the EU have increased from 3.56 billion Euros in
                                                               Meanwhile, this increased bilateral trade led to more
              increase of 86%.
 sustainable waste management  The Better Work Programme is a unique partnership   jobs, better working conditions, promotion of
                                                               sustainable policies overall improvement of
              between the International Labour Organization (ILO)
                                                               macroeconomic indicators for Pakistan.
              and the International Finance Corporation (IFC). It
              was launched in August 2006 to improve labor     EU’s exports to Pakistan, since 2013, have
 Global Recycling Day is held annually on 18 March to help recognize and celebrate the importance   standards and competitiveness in global supply   increased substantially in many sectors, including
 recycling plays in securing the future of our planet. The day strives to urge world leaders that recycling   chains. Better Work focuses on labor-intensive   machinery (49%), Iron & Steel (114%),
 must be a global issue and encourage people to think resourcefully and not waste when it comes to   industries with many vulnerable workers in   Pharmaceuticals (143%), Plastics (79 %), and
 the goods around us. The day encourages people to think again about what we throw away while   developing countries, such as agribusiness,   medical measuring instruments (45%). In terms of
 highlighting how important recycling is to our environment, including polyester and other plastics.  apparel, construction, and light manufacturing. The   country-wise exports to EU member states, there
 The GRF highlights the six essential resources: Water, air, oil, natural gas, coal, and minerals. These   program is developing both global tools and   are 12 EU Member states in which Pakistan’s
 are the resources that provide everything required to live in the modern world, including the food we   country-level projects. Pakistan has a long history in   exports have increased by more than 100%,
 consume. Furthermore, each year, the ‘Seventh Resource’ (recyclables) saves over 700 million tonnes   the textile and garment industry, and it is considered   including Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria, Denmark,
 in CO2 emissions, projected to increase to one billion tons by 2030.   one of the most important manufacturing sectors in   Ireland, Cyprus, Spain, Netherlands, and others.
              the economy. The sector employs nearly half of the   GSP+ has played a crucial role in Pakistan’s green
 Global Recycling Day reminds us that recycling is on the front line in the war to save the future of our   national labor force, and the ILO has a robust   future trajectory, and it led to devising legislative
 planet and humanity. The reduction of around 700 million tonnes of carbon emissions per year, offsets   presence in the country. Despite the challenges of   instruments and taking policy actions for a greener
 of carbon emissions produced by the aviation industry, preservation of all six natural resources that the   the COVID-19 pandemic, a three-year Better Work   and cleaner Pakistan. The report stated that the
 earth depends on, and the supply of 40% of raw materials using recycling.   pilot program was launched in 2021 after several   country had achieved SDG 13 ‘Climate Action’
              years of consultations between Better Work and the   target ten years ahead of time, and the
              tripartite constituents in Pakistan. The barriers   environmental protection bill has been passed.


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