Load management programme: textile ministry to seek 300 MMCF gas for running industry

The Textile Ministry is all set to seek allocation of 300 MMCF gas needed to run the industry under the gas load management programme during the peak winter months. Textile industry is currently receiving 100 MMCF gas and going to request for 200 MMCF additional quota under the load management programme during the peak winter season.
Well-placed sources told Business Recorder that the request is part of the strategy chalked out after consultations with Minister for Textile Industry Rana Farooq Saeed Khan on Wednesday. The proposal will be tabled before the sub-committee of the Economic Co-ordination Committee of the Cabinet scheduled to meet today (Thursday).
The ECC had deferred the summary on gas load management 2009-10 moved by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources due to strong resistance from the stakeholders including textile ministry. The ECC formed a sub-committee under the chairmanship of the Petroleum Minister to address the concerns of ministries including Finance, Textile, Industries & Production, Food and Agriculture and Petroleum. The committee would suggest measures acceptable to all stakeholders.
Sources said the ministry would further demand of the committee to distribute gas through the Ministry of Textile instead of Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL). Sources said that during the meeting the members of the delegation expressed concern regarding availability of raw materials and their cost related matters. They further revealed that matters relating to the cost of production, increasing price of yarn and cotton along with their effects on textile industry also came under discussion. They highlighted issues of value-added sector as well.
During the meeting it was observed that there was need to point out unorganised sectors and effective measures should be taken to reorganise them. The participants were of the view that textile is a labour intensive industry so the government should safeguard the interests of all, especially small stakeholders. Members of the delegation suggested that short-term and long-term planning was the need of the hour. Moreover, steps should be taken to make the closed units operational.
Sources said problems relating to growers, ginners and spinners were discussed in detail. They underlined the importance of the spinning sector saying that without resolving the problems of the spinning sector textile industry will always remain in crises.
They said our textile industry is playing an important role in the economic development and hence needs priority. The delegates also suggested that BT cotton should be introduced to increase cotton production. They also expressed concern over the rising cotton and cotton yarn prices. They also demanded to safeguard the interests of investors.
Rana Farooq said we need co-operation and co-ordination of all textile stakeholders to resolve disputes. He said the Ministry of Textile Industry has given a roadmap through Pakistan's first-ever Textile Policy 2009-14. Now it is time to make efforts for economic development and prosperity of our country.
He said the Finance Ministry is issuing instructions for release of Rs 10 billion to the State Bank of Pakistan for implementation of various textile policy initiatives. Rana Farooq said the government is making all possible efforts for international market access especially the US and the EU to enhance the volume of exports.
The textile delegation comprised the representatives of All Pakistan Textile Mills Association, Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers Association, All Pakistan Textile Processing Mills Association, Pakistan Readymade Garment Manufactures & Exporters Association, Pakistan Textile Exporters Association, Towel Manufactures Association, All Pakistan Cotton Power Looms Association, Pakistan Cloth Merchants Association. Federal Secretary Waqar Masood Khan was also present.