Textile sector backbone of industry, says Pak PM
Thursday, 19 July 2007
ISLAMABAD, Jul 18 (APP): Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz yesterday said the government is taking a number of steps to help the country's textile industry improve its position in the global trade and to avail opportunities of the quota free environment.
He was talking to a delegation of Pakistan Bedwear Exporters' Association which headed by its Chairman Shabbir Ahmed called on him here yesterday.
The Prime Minister said textile sector - backbone of our industry, contributing 66 per cent to the country's exports, 40 per cent to employment and 8.5 per cent to the GDP - has shown substantial development during the last few years.
He said the growth is largely driven by the continuity of government policies, positive macroeconomic indicators, tariff rationalization, removal of sales tax on textile chain, deregulation, lower interest rates, increased market access, public-private partnership programmes and the creation of a hassle free environment by the government.
The Prime Minister said that government will continue to take steps to further develop the textile sector focusing on bridging the skills gap, promoting research and development activities, facilitating women employees, outsourcing of specialised work and simplification of procedures.
He was talking to a delegation of Pakistan Bedwear Exporters' Association which headed by its Chairman Shabbir Ahmed called on him here yesterday.
The Prime Minister said textile sector - backbone of our industry, contributing 66 per cent to the country's exports, 40 per cent to employment and 8.5 per cent to the GDP - has shown substantial development during the last few years.
He said the growth is largely driven by the continuity of government policies, positive macroeconomic indicators, tariff rationalization, removal of sales tax on textile chain, deregulation, lower interest rates, increased market access, public-private partnership programmes and the creation of a hassle free environment by the government.
The Prime Minister said that government will continue to take steps to further develop the textile sector focusing on bridging the skills gap, promoting research and development activities, facilitating women employees, outsourcing of specialised work and simplification of procedures.