KARACHI, Nov 7: Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (Prgmea) Chairman Bilal Mulla has urged the Central Board of Revenue to grant DTRE permissions within 24 hours so that production in the garment industry remains unaffected due to non-availability of fabrics.

In a statement issued here on Monday, the Prgmea chairman said the CBR had excluded fabrics from the list of duty-free import allowed to exporters under SRO410. The change has been made through SRO1065 issued recently.

Under the new SRO, textile exporters have been advised to register themselves in the Duty Tax Remission (DTRE) scheme for the duty-free import of fabrics. Prgmea has expressed its concern over the CBR move, saying it would result in delay in shipments and consequently garment export orders.

Mr Mulla requested the member customs to direct DTRE officials to issue permissions within 24 hours. He said garment exporters faced a formidable challenge in the free trade era under the WTO and would not be able to compete with their rivals if they failed to meet the delivery schedule of buyers.