Pakistan’s value added textile exports declined 13.42 per cent in the first quarter of the current fiscal year. During the same period, overall exports of Bangladesh increased by 4.95 per cent and Vietnam’s by 9.20 per cent, whereas overall exports of China and Sri Lanka decreased negligibly by 2.50 per cent and 4.50 per cent.

Pakistan’s textile industry feels value added textile exports would plunge by approximately 20 per cent if the sales tax imposed on exports is not withdrawn. The government did not withdraw the two per cent sales tax on exports but increased the tax on exports by 50 per cent in the budget for 2015-16.

In the fiscal 2014-15, overall exports declined by around five per cent. The industry feels that if the major causes are not addressed, and if the value added textile sector is not supported, and if its grievances in terms of the cost of doing business are not evaluated in comparison with regional competing countries, Pakistan’s exports would never increase.

Pakistan Apparel Forum wants the cost of all essential utilities to be brought down to the level they are in neighboring and other competing countries, and priority to be given to export oriented industries in the supply of all utilities without interruption.