ISLAMABAD, Aug 6: The government is considering various measures to develop a system for local manufacturing of ginning machinery. An official told Dawn on Saturday that the local manufacturing of ginning machinery would help reduce its prices.

It has been proposed to reduce the duty on import of ginning machinery and gin saw blade so that the ginning industry gets boost. The official said that it was decided that efforts would be made to modernize and modify the existing ginning factories to enhance their productivity.

For the upgradation of ginning machineries, the official said that a foreign consultant might be hired and terms of reference would be devised in this regard. The ginning standards would be finalized in consultation with various stakeholders, added the official.

It was observed that due to non-implementation of any recognized cotton standardization system, the country was losing about $2 billion per annum. He said that keeping in view global cotton outlook, international competition and phasing out of the multi-fibre agreement, it had become imperative to reduce wastage and improve the productivity level.

To achieve this objective, the official said a vertical integrated approach was required in the value chain of cotton production, ginning, spinning, weaving, processing and garment sectors.