KARACHI, April 23: Exporters have called for cutting duties on import of raw materials to zero level for Pakistan’s increased share in international market through competitiveness. The chairman, All Pakistan Textile Processing Mills Association, Muhammad Arif Lakhani in a statement here on Saturday, said the industrial sector was faced with poor infrastructure and accessories, lack of smooth supply of utilities i.e. water, electricity and natural gas coupled with the high rates rendering the industrialists uncompetitive and incapable of meeting their export orders in scheduled timeframe.

“With arrival of hot season, un-scheduled load-shedding of electricity has begun. It has badly affected the production/manufacturing process and at most plants one shift has already been suspended,” he claimed.

He sought government’s permission for members of APTPMA to set up generators at their establishments for power production using natural gas to meet their operational requirements. Un-interrupted supply of gas should also be ensured.

He said textile processing mills had significant share in value-addition sector of the country which required special attention.

Water is number one raw material of processing mills while the industrial areas of the city specially SITE was faced with shortage of water, he said.

He urged that the government should take more effective and result-oriented steps to strengthen the textile sector and increase its contribution towards national exports.

He said “we have to do a lot to make our industries able to survive and compete in post-WTO regime.”

He also pointed out that industries in Karachi and its suburbs were shifting to other provinces to avail better infrastructure and incentives.—APP