Daily Times

While expressing serious concerns over the threats of gas supply termination and notices of additional security payment by the SNGPL the Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers & Exporters Association (PHMA) has urged the government to withdraw these notices and ensure smooth gas supply to the export-oriented value-added textile industry so that the exports could not be suffered, which have just started to show a positive trend after a long time. PHMA North Zone Chairman Abdul Hameed, in a letter to Commerce and Textile Minister Jam Kamal, has argued that at a time when the exports data have showed some growth the government agencies, instead of taking business-friendly measures, are creating hurdles for the exporters. He quoted the latest exports data and said the exports of readymade garments rose 23.17pc by value in the first quarter and 16.16pc by quantity, while knitwear rose 14.13pc by value and 2.17pc by quantity while bedwear posted a growth of 13.31pc in value and a growth of 14.55pc in quantity, which is an encouraging sign. The government should extend its full support to continue this positive trend of exports growth through uninterrupted gas supply to the captive power plants at afforadable and competitive rates.