APTMA calls for a competitive business environment
LAHORE: The All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) has called on the government to restore a regionally competitive business environment, particularly in energy tariffs, taxation and operating costs, warning that textile exports cannot grow unless these constraints are addressed. Speaking at APTMA’s 67th Annual General Meeting, Patron-in-Chief Dr Gohar Ejaz said the industry could raise…
The All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) has urged the government to foster a competitive business landscape, emphasizing energy tariffs, taxation, and operating costs. Patron-in-Chief Dr Gohar Ejaz stated that textile exports could surge by over USD 10 billion annually with a conducive environment. Textiles constitute more than 60% of Pakistan’s exports and employ approximately 10 million people.
However, exports have stagnated due to high energy tariffs, substantial taxation, and increasing business expenses. Dr Gohar announced a plan to encourage value-added exports, following the government’s approval of regionally competitive electricity and gas tariffs for export-driven sectors, which were subsequently revoked, adversely affecting exports.
The newly elected leadership, representing various stages of the value chain, from fiber to fashion, pledges to promote value-added exports. The outgoing Chairman, Kamran Arshad, stressed that the industry’s export potential remains unrealized due to an uncompetitive cost of doing business. He advocated for competitive energy rates, an investment and export-friendly tax system, and enhanced policy stability.
Additionally, he urged the government to allow imports while safeguarding the domestic value chain from large-scale dumping, which severely harms local industries. Newly elected Chairman Asad Shafi highlighted Pakistan’s GDP standing at approximately USD 450 billion, with agricultural and industrial sectors experiencing significant decline, while exports remain below USD 30 billion despite an annual birth rate of six to seven million.
He attributed the competitive decline to reduced cotton production and stagnant exports, noting that electricity costs exceed 11 cents per kilowatt-hour in Pakistan compared to around six cents in neighboring countries.
Written by urgent.news from Business Recorder's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
