PRGMEA wants Rs 60 billion for exports in Budget

In a bid to improve the exports of Pakistan textile industry, the Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PRGMEA) has appealed Pakistan government for allocation of Rs 60 billion in the federal budget for 2017-18 to be presented on 26th May 2017. Further, it has also requested for discharge of pending benefits of the exporters.

The urge for distribution of Rs 60 billion has been made under an incentive package worth Rs 180 billion that was approved by Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif in January this year for exports.

The incentive package had helped initiate growth in the exports of value-added textile industry despite drop in the exports of other sectors, said PRGMEA chairman Ijaz Khokhar in a statement.

"The government must discourage exports of raw material to facilitate the value-added textile and apparel sector, which ranks as the largest employment generator in the country," said Sharif adding that focus should be on generating employment in the country. "At the same time, raw material exports must be dis-incentivised as they take jobs away from our country and create them in competing countries where they export raw material," he added.