The spokesman of Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PRGMEA) has demanded continuation of 3 percent drawback of local taxes and Levis (DLTL) scheme during 2011-12 to sustain growth in country's exports.
The government had introduced DLTL scheme in September 2009 to make woven garments industry a manufacturing hub for highest value-added products, including availability of trained manpower, promotion of fashion designs and support in development and marketing of brand names. The PRGMEA spokesman said the woven garments sector has grappled impressive 38 percent growth during 2010-11.
He said the woven garment industry has secured remarkable unit price with increase in utilisation of expensive fabrics. It has ultimately pushed the employment index of woven garment industry up, as millions of young workers are involved in skilled jobs in the industry.
He said the average unit price has nearly doubled in 2010-11 and the garment industry has increased the utilisation of expensive fabrics in different weights besides employing 30 percent of 3.5 million workforce of textile industry value chain, he added.
However, the energy crisis has crippled the growth momentum of the woven garment industry altogether, as the production cost has hit through the roof since November 2007. The spokesman appreciated the pro-industry approach of the government, particularly the President Asif Ali Zardari who had declared 2011 as the year of textile industry. He expressed the hope that the government's action would supplement to the words of President Asif Zardari and it would save the woven garment industry from a big disaster with continuation of DLTL scheme in a highly competitive global environment.