Lahore  - The five export industries of Sialkot, including apparel, leather, carpets, sports goods and surgical instruments, have called an emergency meeting on Monday to discuss over the proposed sales tax to be imposed on export sectors in the upcoming federal budget 2016-17. The all export sectors’ bodies’ representatives, later will also hold a press conference to raise their concern in this regard. The meeting participants will deliberate the strategies to pursue the government to adopt pro-export policies and ensure their effective implementation so that country could continue its journey to development and prosperity.

The Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PRGMEA) chief coordinator Ijaz Khokhar expressed his concerns that over the proposed imposition of sales tax on export sectors despite the pledge of the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to introduce zero-rated tax regime for them.

He said that Prime Minister had accepted the exporters’ demand of zero rated regime restoration for five export sectors and promised to implement this positive decision from next fiscal year. He said that zero rated regime will save the exporters from a lot of troubles.

He further said in Monday’s meeting the five sectors will also discuss the issue of sales tax refunds, besides billions of rupees held up under the textile policy initiatives like DLTL.

He said that is a matter of concern for the country that despite GSP Plus window, exports of the country are showing declining trend and related workforce is losing their jobs.