All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) Chairman Syed Ali Ahsan has appreciated the vision of the government in recognizing importance of exporting industry, the only way forward to export-led growth to overcome trade deficit and the consequent financial crisis faced by our economy. He was addressing a press conference at APTMA Punjab on Friday. Patron-in-Chief APTMA Gohar Ejaz and Chairman APTMA Punjab Adil Basheer were also present on the occasion.
Chairman APTMA said the government had fulfilled its commitment for crisis ridden exporting industry (5 zero rated sectors) by announcing regionally competitive tariff for both gas and electricity i.e. flat regionally competitive electricity tariff US cents 7.5/kWh all inclusive and flat gas tariff USD 6.5/mmBTU all inclusive for captive and processing use in 5 zero rated sectors (exporting industry).
He said the initiative of flat regionally competitive electricity tariff would not only reduce inter-provincial disparity but also inter sectoral (captive/prime user) disparity. Now, prime users of electricity would enjoy the same tariff as was to captive industrial units, he added.
He said resolving the energy affordability issue was a positive step for reviving 30 percent closed/idle capacity, which was located predominantly in Punjab. However, he added, that regime should continue for next five years for the growth of industry on sustainable basis.
Regarding the announcement of flat gas tariff, he said priority of exporting industry had been up-graded and moved to second in Gas Allocation and Management Policy 2013. That would ensure gas availability throughout the year, he added.
In order to boost exports, he said, the government should announce long term investment and growth policy so that industry could undertake new investment decisions for technology up-gradation and value addition, which would not only generate more exportable surplus but also new sustainable jobs. He said the industry had envisaged to double exports (13.5 billion USD to 27 billion USD) in next five years with the investment of $ 7 billion which would create additional 1.5 million jobs.