September 22, 2006	Friday	Sha'aban 28, 1427

ISLAMABAD, Sept 21: Federal Textile Minister Mushtaq Ali Cheema on Thursday urged the spinning sector to establish weaving industry for value addition in their products for which government would encourage them in finance arrangement.

He was talking to a delegation of All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (Aptma) led by its vice-chairman Shafqat Ellahi Sheikh.

An official announcement said that the minister informed the delegation that the government was working to prepare a strategy for value addition in textile industry to increase exports of the country.

Mr Cheema said that presently annual yarn export stood at just $1.5 billion and efforts were being made to boost the volume for which the government was offering incentives including financing at low mark-up rates.

The minister said the export of yarn and grey cloth should be increased for which the spinning industry should play its role. “The government is fully aware of the problems of this industry, which has 47pc share in textile sector, and measures were being taken to resolve them.

“We are facing great challenges in the world market for which joint efforts are needed and the private sector should cooperate with the government in the national interest, he said.

The delegation demanded similar incentives for weaving and spinning industry as were granted to export-oriented sector.

The minister assured the delegation that his ministry would soon submit recommendations to the prime minister for approval regarding solving problems of spinning and weaving industry.