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