Federal Secretary for Textiles Ministry, Amir M Khan Marwat claimed that exports from Pakistan have begun to increase and a Textile City will be established in Karachi as soon as the government of Sindh allots land for which the federal government has already paid Rs 300 million.
He was addressing a meeting at the Federation House organised by the Standing Committee on Textile Apparel of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry. Vice President FPCCI Zulfiqar Sheikh, Chairman Standing Committee Naqi Bari, Ikram Rajput and leading members of the FPCCI were also present in the meeting. The Federal Secretary said that the government is doing its best for the development of textile industry as this is an important industry providing 40 percent industrial jobs and earning 60 percent foreign exchange.
He said that the government has introduced performance based incentives for textile industry in the Textile Policy 2015 to encourage the industry and exports and Rs 6 billion will be given to textile industry every year for next five years on account of Drawback of Local Taxes and Levies (DLTL), Long Term Financing Facility (LTFF) and rewards according to performance.
Amir Marwat told that the exports from Pakistan have started to grow and the government envisages more exports growth in coming years. He said that the federal government is trying its best for establishing a Textile City in Karachi like that of Faisalabad and Rs 300 million has been given to Sindh Government for acquiring the land. But, he continued that the Sindh government has informed that the land will be allotted as soon the litigation regarding the land is over.
Replying to a question regarding refund, he said that according to his ministry Rs 20 billion refund claims are pending but the ministry has decided to do survey of real claimants and then will release the refund and hopefully this job will be done within a short period. He also appealed textile mills owners to cooperate in this regard. Earlier, welcoming the distinguished guest, SVP FPCCI Sheikh Khalid Tawab pointed out that the Indian government has chalked out a plan to damage Pakistan's textile exports and allocated Rs 6000 crores for the development of textile and apparel industry.
He urged the government to appoint a minister for textiles ministry so that the government could face Indian planning well and save our export-oriented industry. He demanded to release tax refund of various industries amounting to more than Rs 300 billion. Khalid Tawab also demanded to change the name of DLTL Scheme to Reward on Incremental Export and announce special incentives for cotton growing areas.-PR