January 14, 2006	Saturday	Zilhaj 13, 1426

ISLAMABAD, Jan 13: The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry has urged the government to extend more facilities to exporters of readymade garments.

This was stated by FPCCI President Ch. Saeed in a meeting with officials of the Islamabad Chambers of Commerce and Industry led by its president Abdul Rauf. The chief expectative, Cambridge Garments, Sath Anis, also attended the meeting.

According to a press release of the chamber, Mr Saeed said that after the WTO the exporters of readymade garments and bedlinen were facing difficulties.

He said further that the European Union had also levied antidumping duties. However, he expressed the hope that efforts made by the commerce minister would bring fruit and the European Union might change the decision. He appealed to the government to give more facilities to exporters of readymade garments.

ICCI President Abdul Rauf said that readymade garments of fine quality were produced in Pakistan, particularly by Cambridge Garments. Cambridge is faming in Pakistan and is earning billion of revenues annually.

He said that there was a need to reduce production cost to compete in the world market. He said due to price hike of petrol, gas and electricity, the cost of production was increasing constantly. “We have competition with India and China in the world market and these countries are giving facilities to their industrialists,” he added.

Mr Rauf said further that textile was the main export of Pakistan and the government had decided to set up a value-added textile city in Faisalabad, which would boost up the export. He demanded of the government to provide relaxation in tax and electricity and gas tariff to those who wanted to establish industry and encourage foreign investment.