KARACHI, May 8: Business leaders have expressed concern over the on-going crisis in the textile industry and urged the government to provide support to the sector to maintain its viability. They blamed the high input cost for much of their woes. It was pointed out that the higher input cost in Pakistan gave an edge to its regional competitors where cost of doing business is comparatively low.

The Pakistan Bedwear Exporters Association (PBEA) on Saturday gave a reception to honour business leaders who received national awards on March 23 this year. Latif Ebrahim Jamal (late) was awarded Hilal-i-Imtiaz, Mian Mohammad Abdullah Sitara-i-Imtiaz and Bashir Ali Mohammad Sitara-i-Imtiaz.

Speaking on the occasion Bashir Ali Mohammad urged the Saarc member countries to develop close trade relations to compliment each others economies if they want to see better and prosperous future for the masses.

He said that the business communities of these countries should think on regional basis as “their survival depends on close cooperation in economic field.”

Chairman PBEA Shabir Ahmed, congratulating the business leaders, who were conferred with prestigious awards by President Pervez Musharraf in recognition to their services in trade and industry, said the business community, particularly, the textile industry was passing through a most difficult phase of its history and hoped that the decision-makers would take proper steps to save this sector which is the largest job provider and contributes over 28 per cent to the GDP.

Shabir Ahmed urged the government to only ensure a level-playing field with their competitors as the industry did not want any subsidy or concessions. He suggested that a comprehensive survey should be made of the input costs prevailing in regional counties and only then an appropriate decision could be made.