Towel Manufacturers' Association of Pakistan (TMA) has condemned Ministry of Textile Industry for ignoring the association in the meeting with all the stakeholders of the textile associations held in Islamabad recently. Chairman TMA, Feroze Alam Lari in a statement issued here has reacted strongly against this lapse on the part of the Ministry. It is more than $1 billion export oriented industry which needed to be recognised by government functionaries, he said.
The agenda for the meeting was: review of textile performance for July-October, 2011-2012, briefing on textile policy initiatives and disbursements, and discussion on proposed MFN status to India. He further lamented that in yet another meeting of National Assembly's Standing Committee on Port and Shipping, which was scheduled for December 8, TMA has again been ignored.
Lari wondered how TMA could be ignored when the list of associations was prepared by Directorate of Trade Organisations (DTO). He said it was unfortunate that the association was deprived from giving input of this important sector. He urged that the December 8 meeting be postponed and agenda of the meeting be circulated to enable TMA give its view before the law is finalised.
Lari suggested the National Assembly secretariat to act immediately and also drew the attention of other government/ semi-government agencies to consult the DTO's list so that all the stakeholders were able to provide their suggestions which would ultimately help the industry and exports to grow.