KARACHI: Exporters have urged the government to take necessary and corrective measures to help prop up floundering exports, and blamed the delay in incentives package as the major reason behind falling proceeds.

Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) President Mian Mohammad Adrees said it was globally accepted fact that domestically created non-tariff barriers mostly impede the free flow of trade.

He cited uneven playing field, regulatory measures, complex system and procedure, delay in release of supportive packages, exporters’ stuck-up money in the form of refunds, etc as the major problems.

The delay in announcement of the incentives package has demoralised the business community and resulted in a significant decline in exporters, particularly of textiles during July-October 2015, he said.

Shabir Ahmed, patron-in-chief of Pakistan Bedwear Exporters Association (PBEA), said that for over 18 months exporters had been warning the government about their issues, but to no avail.

He said a 9 per cent fall in bedwear exports during the first four months of this fiscal year was an alarming situation.

The fall in exports does not only mean lesser earning of foreign exchange, but also fewer employment opportunities, he added.

Apart from high cost of doing business, factors like non-refund of sales tax, duty drawback and local levies, and lack of research and development are also damaging exports, he said.

Published in Dawn, November 25th, 2015

Follow Dawn Business on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook for insights on business, finance and tech from Pakistan and across the world.

Opinion

Editorial

Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...
New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.