Textile makers fear fall in exports

KARACHI: Textile manufacturers on Saturday feared 25 percent fall in exports in the next fiscal year if the European Union withdraws the generalised scheme of preferences (GSP) plus status granted to Pakistan.
Chairman Pakistan Apparel Forum Muhammad Jawed Bilwani, in a statement, said effective implementation of the international conventions is a basic requirement under the EU GSP Plus status.
The government has executed at least 150 people since the seven-year moratorium on death penalty was lifted in December 2014.
“This represented a regression in Pakistan’s record on human rights,” Bilwani said.
It is alarming that despite GSP Plus, our textile exports declined 1.7 percent in July-May 2014-15 the over same period of last fiscal, he said.
“If GSP Plus was not granted the textile exports would have faced a drop of 13.1 percent.”
He added that the cost of inputs, such as gas, electricity and water in Pakistan are much higher compared with the neighbouring countries.
“It has become impossible for us to compete in the global market,” he said.
The government must cut the cost of inputs and revive the zero-rated regime (no payment no refund) to prevent the fall in exports, he said.