July 03, 2008	Thursday	Jamadi-us-Sani 28, 1429

HYDERABAD, July 2: The Hyderabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (HCCI) has severely criticised the increase in the price of gas and demanded subsidy for the export oriented industrial units.

In a statement issued here on Tuesday, the president of the chamber, Haji Mohammad Yaqoob, said that textile and spinning units were being run by gas. Naturally, the cost of production of goods will tremendously increase with the increase in gas price and it would seriously affect exports and overall economy of Pakistan, he said.

He regretted that the industrial sector was being constantly ignored while subsidy had been provided to fertilizer units using gas to protect the agriculture sector.

He, however, hastened to add that it was a laudable step of the government as it will bring about stability in the prices of agricultural commodities.

He, however, demanded that subsidy should also be announced on the gas used in the export oriented industries as well as bangle industry. He feared that if this was not done, the bangle industry will be closed in Hyderabad which will increase unemployment.