The textile and leather industries in Pakistan have highlighted key challenges such as high electricity tariffs, unsustainable taxation, and a liquidity crunch as critical factors hampering export growth. During a virtual meeting on Wednesday with Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan, industry representatives raised their concerns, urging the government to address these issues to maintain export momentum.
Members of the Council for Apparel, Made-ups, and Technical Textiles, along with other relevant councils, voiced several obstacles impacting the sector, including the complexities of Statutory Regulatory Orders (SROs), limited export financing, and high borrowing costs. They stressed the need for government intervention to resolve these challenges, especially in the face of current geopolitical opportunities that could allow Pakistan to expand its international market share.
The discussion also emphasized the importance of supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and developing new plug-and-play garment cities to stimulate industry growth. The council members urged the government to implement policies that would enhance value-added textile exports.
Minister Jam Kamal Khan acknowledged the industry’s concerns and recognized the sector’s significant contribution to Pakistan’s socioeconomic development. He assured the participants that their recommendations would be considered at the highest levels of government and that true representation from the private sector is essential in these consultations.
The minister also noted that the Prime Minister is actively exploring ways to facilitate exporters and boost trade volume. The input provided by the private sector during these meetings will be compiled and presented to the National Export Development Board (NEDB) for final consideration.
In a separate meeting with the Pakistan Leather and Footwear Council, Minister Jam Kamal marked the first active engagement by a federal minister with this sector’s council. He encouraged all sectoral councils to submit their proposals, which will be reviewed by the National Export Development Fund, chaired by the Prime Minister, for potential approval.
