Restrict export of raw materials- NA Committee

18 Dec '09

2 min read

National Assembly Standing Committee on Commerce led by its Chairman Engineer Khurram Dastgir Khan asked the government, to ensure the availability of yarn in the country as well as to restrict its export along with the export of raw cotton, in a meeting at Parliament House. The committee reprimanded the officials of Ministry of Commerce for attending the meeting without doing adequate groundwork with regards to agenda of Trade Organization Ordinance.

As per Mr. Dastgir, rampant export of raw materials and low value-added products reflects government's irresponsibility towards protecting country's competitive advantage. Ban on exports of yarn could salvage domestic industries, as lot of workers and manufacturers associated with the industry across the country have been impacted adversely due to ill-advised government policy, he added.

Local industries are already facing challenges due to load-shedding, while the rising prices and unavailability of raw materials are threatening these industries further, he added. Export of raw cotton and cotton yarn witnessed steep surge of 212 percent and 84 percent respectively, during last year. Prices of raw and semi-raw materials in domestic markets are reaching at international level, which are distressing downstream value adding manufacturers.

In addition to this, the Committee recommended the government to balance the trade policy for growers, informed Mr. Dastgir.

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