ISLAMABAD, Aug 26: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has said the government is committed to facilitating the private sector to improve competitiveness and productivity. He was talking to a delegation of the All Pakistan Textile Manufacturing Association (Aptma) which called on him here on Saturday.

An official announcement issued after the meeting said the prime minister emphasised the need for promoting innovation and research to enable the industry to grab better share in the global textile market.

Mr Aziz said government's policy of deregulation, privatisation and liberalisation coupled with continuity of policies and transparency in procedures had created an upsurge in economy and generated an atmosphere conducive to the private sector. He urged the private sector to strive more to take full advantage of the government's policies.

The prime minister appreciated the innovation and use of new technology adopted by the textile industry. Talking about the recent steps of the government to further develop the textile industry, the prime minister said the government had launched a "clean cotton project" to develop the indigenous cotton processing industry in line with the internationally acceptable standards.

The delegation appreciated investment-friendly policies of the government and its persistent attention to expand and upgrade the textile sector in Pakistan. The meeting was attended among others by Textile Industry Minister Mushtaq Ali Cheema and senior officials.