APTMA awards conferred at its annual dinner

30 Aug '12

3 min read

President Asif Ali Zardari has visualized a potential of $100 billion exports for textile industry against the industry target of $20 billion and termed it ‘a vital industry from all measures’.

He was addressing a gathering of textile industry on the occasion of annual dinner of All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA), held at the presidency. Governor Khyber Pukhtoonkhwa Barrister Syed Masood Kausar and Minister for Textile Industry Makhdoom Shahabuddin, Chairman APTMA Mohsin Aziz, Group Leader APTMA Gohar Ejaz, Executive Committee members APTMA, zonal heads and a large number of APTMA members were present on the occasion. Besides, federal ministers, Senators, federal secretaries and officials from diplomatic corps also graced the occasion. It is for the second time the APTMA’s annual dinner is held at the Aiwan-e-Sadr.

He said the textiles and clothing sector was the mainstay of Pakistan's exports and is a symbol of Pakistan's manufacturing excellence. The President commended the private sector for the development of the industry.

President Zardari said a regionally competitive interest rate has become need of the hour and the Ministry of Finance, State Bank of Pakistan and APTMA should jointly formulate appropriate measures towards achieving the industry sustainability and growth in the larger interest of exports and employment.

He also appreciated the businessmen for performing at their best despite high cost of doing business in Pakistan due to war against terrorism and related issues.

Speaking on the occasion, Chairman APTMA Mohsin Aziz said the textile was contributing more than 53% of the total export of the country besides 8.5% to the GDP and employing, directly & indirectly, 15 Million workers.

He appreciated the federal government for accepting APTMA’s proposals and responding positively by entrusting APTMA with a pivotal role in the functioning of the Pakistan Central Cotton Committee (PCCC). This certainly is a step in the right direction. APTMA has assigned a very capable representative in the person of Mr. Shahzad Ali Khan to head the Committee. This very important Committee had remained dormant for a very long time; hence neglecting the important role of research and development in the field of cotton farming, he added.

Mohsin said APTMA has willingly and readily accepted the increase in the cotton cess whereby its contribution to cotton research will increase from Rs. 200 to Rs. 600 Million.

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