April 14, 2007	Saturday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 25, 1428

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FAISALABAD, April 13: Exporters, industrialists and traders have asked the government to lower rates of taxes and utility bills and provide level playing field to cope with the challenges of international market.

The demands and suggestions were put forward by speakers at a pre-budget seminar held here on Thursday night with Punjab governor Khalid Maqbool in chair. Seminar was jointly organized by the Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI), Pakistan Textile Exporters Association (PTEA), Pakistan Yarn Merchants Association and Anjuman-i-Tajran Faisalabad. A large number of exporters, industrialists and traders of different businesses attended the seminar. However no question-answer session was allowed.

Speaking on the textile crisis, PTEA chairman said that exporters did not demand any subsidy but a level playing field. He stressed the need for cutting down on cost of doing business for the sustainability of the sector. He said exporters from China, Bangladesh and India were gaining grounds in the international markets because of facilities given by their governments.

He said that textile exports had declined in recent months and demanded immediate steps to arrest the trend.

Chief guest Governor Khalid Maqbool said that government’s prudent policies and not the 9/11 incident had revived the economy of the country.

The seminar was attended by Federal Textile Minister Mushtaq Ali Cheema, State Finance Minister Umer Ayub, Central Board of Revenue (CBR) Chairman Abdullah Yousaf and businessmen.

He urged the entrepreneurs and exporters to join hands with the government for the prosperity of the nation. He dispelled the impression that it was the 9/11 incident which helped the government strengthen the economy. He claimed that it was economic reforms introduced by the government which had led the economy cycle towards success.

Federal Textile Minister Mushtaq Ali Cheema urged the CBR chairman to work with traders to make tax collection effective.

State Finance Minister Umer Ayub said the government was trying to explore new markets and Pakistan wanted trade and not aid. He asked businessmen to hold their own accountability for betterment of economy.

CBR Chairman Abdullah Yousaf, provincial minister Sohail Zafar Cheema, city district nazim Rana Zahid Touseef, Khurram Iftikhar and Mehmood Alam also spoke.