KARACHI: All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) has urged the government to address the hurdles which were hurting the viability of textile industry on priority, Textile industry will become viable, compete with their regional competitors and take part in the economic development and achievement of 6 percent growth target of 2018 set by the government, said Tariq Saud Chairman APTMA. Appreciating government’s announcement of releasing of the outstanding Sales Tax refund of Rs 21.44 billion by August 31, 2016 against RPO’s issued until April 30, 2016 Tariq, termed it a good sign. He hoped the decision in this regard would be implemented in the real terms. He welcomed the announcement that all pending refunds would be paid by October 15, 2016 for all RPO’s issued until June 30, 2016 and balance RPO’s of claims entered by June 30, 2016 would also be processed expeditiously and necessary instructions have been issued to Federal Board of Revenue and its field offices. The growth target of 6 percent by year 2018 given by Nawaz Sharif to exporters and businessmen would become possible only if the export oriented manufacturing sectors like textile is provided a level playing field to compete with the regional competitors in the international market. He said removal of gas infrastructure development cess and reduction in gas tariff in line with regional competing countries was vital. Removal of all surcharges on electricity tariff to bring at regionally competitive level of Rs 8 per unit is important. Provision of Drawbacks on Local Taxes and Levies at rate of 5 percent against export of yarns, fabrics, made-ups and garments and onclusion of Long Term Financing Facility on indirect exports should be assured. Irritants of zero rating of Sales Tax like further tax, sales tax on import of cotton, sales tax on import on machinery and essential spare parts by the five export oriented sectors etc should be removed as agreed by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar. Withdrawal of Custom Duty on import of cotton and imposition of regulatory duty at rate of 15 percent on man made fiber yarn imported under Chapter 55 should be eased, he added.