PRGMEA calls for declaring export emergency

Chief Coordinator Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PRGMEA) Ijaz A Khokhar on Thursday urged upon the government to declare Export Emergency to overcome the economic crunch. Talking to Business Recorder on Thursday afternoon, he said it would not only generate employment but also strengthened the industry sector. The PRGMEA coordinator further stated that government should concentrate on introducing one Window Operation for increasing the tax as well as foreign exchange which was the goal of the government. "We undertake to boost apparel export if government considers our suggestions seriously."
PRGMEA suggested that Prime Minister should take ownership of export and hold quarterly meeting with the stakeholders, implication of export import policies in true spirit, direly need of establish aggressive marketing plan to boost the exports, review of SME policy to facilitate 93 percent of the industry, soft import policy for re-export to achieve maximum value addition, setting up of skill development centre all over the country for boosting employment, one window tax collection to prevent tax evasion and formation of garments export promotion council.
In order to bring big boom in export sector, the government must focus on implementation of export policies of Vietnam and China and under the circumstances government should study polices of both countries for enhancing the exports of the country, Ijaz said.
The PRGMEA Coordinator further stated that multi-pronged strategy of Prime Minister Imran Khan will pave the way for steering the country from serious economic problems and at this critical juncture the business community is ready to play its pivotal role in strengthening hands for the larger national interest.
Ijaz said it was encouraging that government had decided to constitute Business Advisory Council to fix the problems and difficulties of business community on priority basis, adding "we understand that the government should induct stakeholders in proposed Business Advisory Council for ascertaining the problems confronted by the business community of the country."
PRGMEA Chief Coordinator further said "we understand that government should focus special attention on establishing sector-wise Central, Provincial and regional level task force as result of which the government will be able know ground realities of each industry."
Special attention should also be focused encouraging the young male and female entrepreneurship and enabling the play their instrumental role in strengthening national exchequer.
The PRGMEA Chief Coordinator said Sialkot was hub of SMEs and "we are looking for the reduction in cost of doing business especially in utility bills adding that SMEs are 97 percent of the total business of the country."
At present, he said, policies of the State Bank of Pakistan were not in favour of SMEs and there was need to review the policies to facilitate SMEs in the country. Similarly, the SME Policy was also not favourable and needs to bring radical changes in the policy to facilitate the SMEs, he added.