PRGMEA for revision of visa policy, reforms for textile sector

Chief Coordinator Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PRGMEA) Ijaz A. Khokhar has urged the government to initiate revision of visa policy in order to facilitate foreign buyers and investors.

Talking to APP on Tuesday, he suggested visa on arrival policy for the businessmen, besides enabling them to stay in Pakistan while they were travelling in South Asia and Middle East.

Ijaz urged the government to negotiate with the Chinese government for review of their policy and grant of multiple entry visas to the members of business community of Pakistan with validity of five years. He said the procedure for obtaining Chinese visa should be simplified.

The PRGMEA Coordinator further said that business community engaged with ready-made garment was making adequate efforts to boost export volume despite certain hurdles.

He said that social security, EOBI and other taxes be merged and deducted at source, saying the government will receive more tax than it actually received from the textile companies because of indifferent system.

"Lack of coordination among the stakeholders is a major obstacle in the implementation of Textile Policies, resulting in stunted growth of exports. We urge the Prime Minister to assume patron ship of Pakistan exports and hold quarterly meetings to review progress. Both private and public sectors be held answerable for failures", he said.

The PRGMEA Coordinator welcoming the new government incentive Package designed to boost the country's Clothing and Textile exports said due to non-payment of refunds and sharp increase in cotton yarn prices the value-added textile industry were hit adversely.

Ijaz regretted that due to non-availability of latest fabric locally the garment sector had a limited product line for export market, adding that foreign buyers were demanding new garments on G3, G4.He said more than 30 percent cash flow was blocked since long in the shape of sales tax refund and custom rebates which was damaging cash liquidity for boosting business.

"Our value added products are unable to fetch high value due to poor packaging and under the circumstances there is need of setting up a product and packaging centre", he stressed.

He also urged 'special R&D support fund for innovation of new products and upgradation of workplaces'.