The textile industry associations have demanded availability of electricity at Rs 8 per unit and gas at Rs 600 MMBTU, inclusive all taxes and Gas Infrastructure Development Surcharge (GIDC) respectively to make their products competitive internationally. Besides, they have sought new connections of electricity and gas for the export-oriented industrial units. This demand was made in a meeting of the Federal Textile Board chaired by the Federal Commerce Minister Khurram Dastgir Khan. Next meeting of the Board will take place on 29th August, to finalise the decision.

Those who attended the meeting included All Pakistan Textile Mills Association, Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association, Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers Association, All Pakistan Textile Processing Mills Association, Pakistan Textile Exporters Association, Pakistan Denim Manufacturers Association, Pakistan Bed wear Exporters Association and others.

They said the industry in Pakistan was paying two surcharges on electricity, namely, the Tariff Rationalization Surcharge at Rs 3.10 and Financial Surcharge at Rs 0.43 per unit, which have increased their cost of doing business. “The prime minister had announced a reduction in the electricity rates but the relief has only been provided on account of fuel adjustment,” they pointed out.

Business Recorder