A Rs 180 billion trade enhancement package from the federal government, of which Rs 162 billion was received by the ministry of textile in 2016 for the modernization and development of the textile sector has greatly enhanced the ministry’s capability.
The trade enhancement package was announced for the coming 18 months from January 2017 to June 2018 to enhance the country’s exports, a senior official of the ministry of textile, told APP here on Tuesday.
The official said that the government had decided to give drawbacks on duties in garments of 7%, 5% for processed fabric, and 6% for made-ups, in the coming 18 months.
The government had also given a relaxation on the import of textile machinery for modernization and to enhance the capacity of the textile sector, he said.
The official said that through this package the cost of doing business would also decrease helping enhance business activities in the country.
Replying to a question, he said, “We introduced 16 new varieties of cotton for enhancing the production and growth of the textile sector.”
He said that the ministry has started a pest control and crop management training programmes for cotton growers to enhance the cash crop output in the country.
About 5,000 progressive farmers and workers of field extension departments of the provincial agriculture departments had trained initially in the pest control and crop management programmes.
The ministry official said that around 5,000 cotton farmers had been trained regarding climate change and the control of pink bollworm attacks.
“Cotton production targets were revised to 11.272 million bales for the current sowing season, as compared to targets of 14.5 million bales for the crop season of 2016-17,” the official said.
Replying to another question, he said that in the first stage, 500 master trainers from agriculture departments and ginners associations would be trained, further training growers across the country to control any insect outbreaks.
“10,000 farmers were trained in the first stage on pest management, due to which pest attacks were reduced during the last crop season,” he said.
The production of up to 10.5 million bales of cotton was expected this season as compared to 9.07 million bales produced in the previous year, he remarked.
Meanwhile, the ministry of textile has also conducted a five-day preliminary meeting of the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC), with delegations from the government, private sector, officials, scientists, and other stakeholders from 28 cotton producing countries participating in the meeting.
The textile ministry official said that holding the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) meeting in Pakistan was a remarkable achievement for the country. During the meeting, experts agreed on legislation to improve cotton yield, adding that they agreed that cotton would continue to be the prime contributor to Pakistan’s economy.
The project development and innovation wing of the ministry has initiated different innovation projects, with 1000 stitching units to be established in all districts of the country, the official said.
He said that small industry incubators were also proposed for the coming years, such as the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP).
Replying to a question, he said that the government has provided uninterrupted electricity and gas to the textile sector, which has proved to be a huge support for the textile sector’s growth in the country.
