The committee on cotton sector is all set to make a detailed presentation to President Asif Ali Zardari on March 28 on a plan of action for improvement in cotton production per hectare. The committee comprises Chairman All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (Aptma), Gohar Ejaz, Chairman Pakistan Cotton Forum, Sh. Muhammad Akbar, Vice Chairman Aptma, Shehzad Ali Khan and Asif Inam besides agriculture scientists.
It may be noted that the President's Office had expeditiously issued directions on Aptma proposals relating to increase in cotton production and availability of energy to the industry. Chairman Aptma Gohar Ejaz had represented textile vision to President Zardari on behalf of the industry during Aptma's annual dinner at the presidency on 11th February 2011.
The textile vision includes short and term measures to overcome energy crisis, increase in raw materials production, interest rate regime and investments, market access and policy-implementation divide. According to the vision, textile exports may touch the magical figure of $50 billion plus in five years instead of merely $25 billion dollar, as envisaged by the first ever five-year textile policy of the federal government.
Aptma spokesman said the President's office had directed to constitute two separate committees. The committee on cotton sector is to devise a plan of action for improvement in all sectors and brief the President once a month. Chairman Aptma had pointed out that immediate steps are required to increase cotton production per hectare. He also mentioned that Pakistan is presently producing 570 kg per hectare against 1,250 kg per hectare in China, the spokesman added.
The president had accordingly constituted a committee with agriculture researchers, industry stakeholders, and government representatives to meet on regular basis. The committee had met for preliminary work, followed by a second meeting at the presidency.
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