FAISALABAD - The volume of textile export orders have decreased in Heimtextil from 25 million dollars to 3 million this year due to energy crisis and default on previous export commitments, said Pakistan Textile Exporters Association (PTEA) Chairman Rana Arif Tauseef while addressing a press conference here on Monday.
Expressing disappointment, Rana Arif said that Heimtextil being the biggest international trade fair for home textiles and a global benchmark for quality design textiles have great importance for Pakistani textile exporters as retailers around the globe visit this fair for new fashion trends and to place their orders.
Pakistani exporters were getting about 25 million dollars export orders every year in Heimtextil but this year got only 3 million dollars order due to severe energy shortage and non fulfilment of previous orders on time. Severe energy crisis hampered the production process creating drastic downfall in industrial output and Pakistani exporters were feared about timely honour these export commitments, he said.
Quoting the official statistics, Rana Arif Tauseef said that gas closures had drastically impacted the industrial productivity resulting continues decline of 14% in October and 20% in November textile exports. In October, textile exports were 170 million dollar short and in December increased to 200 million dollars. If this trend continues, textile exports declining ratio could reach 300 million dollars in December and 400 million dollars in January and the export target seems to be a far cry, it was contended. Gas crisis have reduced productivity to 45% and production process has been totally suspended and millions of workers were rendered jobless. Due to gas shedding, 246000 workers have been discharged while 459000 rendered lay-off from industrial units in Faisalabad. Industrialists are unable to pay salaries to the workers and pay their gas and electricity bills due to financial crisis. He demanded to receive gas and electricity bills in two year instalments. He further demanded to suspend the mark up on industrial loans and facilitate exporters in payment of other Government dues.
Answering a question, the PTEA chairman said that the Punjab Chief Minister had promised to take up the matter of discriminatory attitude of gas suspension for industries in Punjab at Federal level. Rana Arif requested the Supreme Court of Pakistan to take notice of the matter.
Vice chairman Pakistan Hosiery manufacturers Association (NZ) Qamar Aftab and former President Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce Sheikh Ashfaq Ahmad also addressed the press conference. Large number of exporters was also present at the press conference.