Owing to prudent economic policies initiated by the PML-N government in all sectors of economy including the textile industrial sectors and as a result of it the textile exports during the period of July-March 2013-14 increased by 8 per cent generally, while exports in all value added categories showed higher increased bed wear by 21 per cent, hosiery by 10 per cent and readymade garments by 9 per cent.
The one year performance of the government in the textile sector revealed that disbursements of Rs 3.5 billion were released by the government for the textile sector in shape of drawbacks, export finance support and mark up support while previous year – 2012-13 only Rs 2 billion were provided by the government. The report said that productivity benchmarking of ginning, knit processing and knit stitching sector was completed in August 2013.
It added that draft textiles law for rationalization of cess collection and implementation of the developmental programmes for textiles sector had been completed while skill development of 600 people specially women in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) has been completed.
“The ministry is formulating textile policy 2014-19 in consultation with stakeholders to double the exports of textiles sector from present $13 billion to $26 billion, final consultative conference are to be held in Karachi, Lahore and Faisalabad”, the report said. According to the one year performance report of the government, the ministry had given comprehensive proposals for opening up trade with India while protecting the domestic manufacturing to ensure level playing field and as a first step, 5per cent custom duty on cotton yarn has been restored.
It added that the negotiations are still on with the ILO for introduction of Better Work Programme in Pakistan next year.
“The ministry facilitated Made in Pakistan Readymade Garment Exhibition in Mumbai, India in April 2014”, it remarked. The one year performance report said that the Ministry organized 3 awareness seminars on GSP plus while development of fiber diversification plan for wool, silk and polyester including handloom, embroidery specially for Sawat, Charsadda, Kohat etc were initiated. The report further said that increased investment by private sector in first six months of CFY i.e. $ 319 million compared to $ 229 million during same period of previous year.
It added that submission of vocational training programme for 1,20,000 unskilled workers majority women in Planning Commission. The Ministry successfully lobbied with the Ministries of Climate Change and National Food Security for approval of 15 cotton varieties and holding of NBC after three years.
The one year performance report of the textile ministry said that the first ginning institute in Multan had commenced. It added that the restructuring of Pakistan Central Cotton Committee had been submitted to the concerned quarters while research programme with Chinese companies to facilitate increase in cotton yield by 30per cent, is being initiated, and an area of 60 acres is being provided for trials.
The one year performance report of the ministry further said that setting cotton target of 15.1 million bales for the year 2014-15.
The Ministry is formulating first ever Cotton Policy 2014-19 in consultation with the stakeholders and final consultative conference is to be held in June 2014. It added that Cess collection of Rs 50 per bale on imported cotton was initiated while previously it was only on domestically produced cotton which was an anti-export biased. The report said that relay crop project was submitted to introduce cotton in standing wheat plantation.