The All Pakistan Textile Mills Association, a 60-year-old strongest business lobby, has shifted its principal office to the federal capital. The APTMA Chairman Aamir Fayyaz has expressed the hope that the newly-established principal office of the association in Islamabad will play a constructive role for the industry and economy. He recalled that a better public advocacy to minimize policy-implementation divide and find solutions to the textile industry problems was always a driving force behind the idea.
"This is a win-win for all. The textile industry value chain and government policy makers will benefit equally," he assured.
Chairman APTMA marked the point that the principal office in Islamabad would develop close liaison with policy makers including bureaucracy, political leadership and public representatives. In addition to safeguarding the industry and overseeing export performance, he envisioned the association's role in policy formulation for the economic development of the country.
"Besides management at the micro level involving the industry and its performance, the association will now be able to play a bigger role for economic progress and prosperity of the country," he vowed.
He envisaged a connection between economic growth and industrial uplift, adding that both go hand in hand in the modern world and benefit from each other.
"I am confident that this move will reinvigorate our working capability and will help the industry and in particular the members of APTMA in opening up for ourselves avenues of new opportunities and in breaking new ground."
It may be noted that the industry is facing numerous problems. Foremost are the non-availability of energy at competitive price and the high cost of doing business specially vis-à-vis our regional competitors. A sizable portion of the industry has shut down and this closure directly affects the industry's capability to contribute to the economy and exports. The revival of closed capacity by addressing issues that have marred Pakistan''s international competitiveness is imperative if the industry is to be expected to contribute significantly to the economy in terms of exports, employment and the sustainer of cotton farming and trade.
The Gohar Ejaz Group has taken stride by shifting the principal office of APTMA to the federal capital in a short period of nine years. The group is consisted of well-educated, energetic and enterprising young generation of the textile tycoons. They have gone extra miles to revive APTMA's glory and made it relevant to the policy makers of Pakistan.
He has emphasized the APTMA membership to get united under their leadership and strengthen the central office to meet emerging challenges and move forward. He has further hoped that the government circles would appreciate the move and get benefit from the industrial intellect combined together in the form of APTMA membership for collective good of the country.