The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is reported to have agreed with the government to continue research and development (R&D) support to only the value-added textiles and emerging exports. The two-year IMF sponsored stabilisation program comprises a home-grown package with emphasis on a strong social protection program to minimise the impact of lower growth on poverty.

All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA), Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) and University of Engineering and Technology (UET) Lahore have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to implement Sustainable Energy Conservation programme for the textile industry.

Dr Mirza Ikhtiar Baig, Federal Advisor to Government on Textile Industry and Chairman Pak Denim and Baig Group, has received prestigious gold medal award from Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on receiving Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FPCCI) Best Special Merit Trophy at the 32nd FPCCI Export Award Ceremony in Karachi.

Pakistan will have to import 2 million bales of cotton for consumption by local textile industry, which would cost $300 million, if cotton prices did not increase in world market. About 12.1 million cotton bales are estimated to be produced during the current financial year against the target of 14 million bales. This was stated in a meeting of the Cotton Crop Assessment Committee.

Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers & Exporters Association (PRGMEA) Central Chairman Jamshaid Hanif has condemned the move of the custom clearing agents at New York seaport to organise clearance of Pakistan exported garment loaded containers from New York seaport by filing personal undertaking in connivance with NY sea port customs staff. This has been done in violation of the established procedure whereby clearing agents can acquire cleared goods on filing documents indicating payment of value of the consignment to the scheduled banks through which the documents are sent to the banker/exporters.

All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) has urged the government to utilise all power generating capacities available in the country and suspend duties on furnace oil to ensure cheaper electricity generation. Newly-elected APTMA Chairman Tariq Mehmood said the entire textile chain was currently in deep trouble due to six to eight hour electricity load-shedding and suspension of gas supplies to textile industries in Punjab and NWFP.

The Karachi Cotton Association (KCA) has approached the State Bank of Pakistan against banks' behaviour over cotton financing issue, as according to it some banks are not providing proper credit facility and are violating rules, arbitrarily fixing cotton rate for financing.

Business community has urged the government to establish "Regional Task Forces" to overcome the problems being faced by readymade garments sector, said Farmer Chairman, Pakistan Readymade Garment Manufacturer and Exporters Association (PRGMEA), Ijaz Khokhar.

The Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PRGMEA) has hailed the Advisor to Prime Minister on Finance Shaukat Tarin for instilling hope to the confidence-starved garments sector by stating that chances of extension of research and development (R&D) fund were not yet bleak for the value-added sector.

Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturing Association (PHMA) Chairman Adil Butt said that continuous gas supply should be ensured for textile processing units enabling the Knitwear industry to meet its export commitments. He said that the knitwear apparel export industry, which is already passing through difficult phase due to internal and external pressures, would be severely hit by gas crisis.

Ali Akbar Group of Companies has successfully experimented with the cultivation of cotton in barani areas of Chakwal. Chairman, National Research Council (NARC), Dr Iltaf Zafar has congratulated the Chairman Pakistan Crop Protection Association (PCPA) and Managing Director Ali Akbar Group, Engr Javed Saleem Qureshi on the successful experiment.

APTMA Punjab Chairman Akber Sheikh said all textile chains have put on hold their export growth plans because of uncertain supply of power and gas. He said with 30% production curtailed textile exports remain stagnant at $10 billion.  He further said this sector provides 40% of industrial employment in the country and laying off textile workers is a bad omen for the economy.

All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) has urged the government to utilise all power generating capacities available in the country and suspend duties on furnace oil to ensure cheaper electricity generation.

Adviser to Prime Minister on Finance Shaukat Tarin promised Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association that government would provide all out support to textile and garments sectors that employs 2 million workers in the garments sector only.

Country’s finished textile products saw a sharp decline in average unit price (AUP) in the foreign markets during the current financial year, mainly on account of problems in scheduled shipment of these products along with some reasons, said Zubair Motiwala, textile exporter and former President Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI).