KARACHI, Aug 26: The Pakistan Commercial Exporters of Towels Association (PCETA) chairman Ali Ashraf Khan has drawn attention of the government towards a number of factors that are operating in combination to vitiate business environment and if not addressed promptly may damage Pakistan’s economy beyond repair.

In a statement on Tuesday the PCETA chief spoke of the recent strike of the transporters, which virtually brought to a halt country’s entire international trade. “Thousands of containers stranded all over the berthing area in ports that blocked all movement,’’ he pointed out while endorsing demand of transporters to bring down prices of diesel when international oil prices are down to $114 a barrel.

Yet another factor hurting the industrial production is frequent power breakdowns he said adding that the textile exporters were finding it difficult to service their booked orders on schedule.

Mr Ashraf also made a forceful plea for early restoration of research and development subsidy facility on export of textile products, which has now become vital to remain in the international market. Textile is almost 65 per cent of Pakistan’s total exports and is the biggest employment generator and deserves an immediate response from the government for a quick solution.