Pakistan Textile Exporters Association (PTEA) has asked for expeditious disbursement of all outstanding refunds as the Covid-19 pandemic has significantly impacted cash flows, squeezing the financial streams.

Commenting on the prevailing situation chairman PTEA Sohail Pasha expressed serious concerns over unnecessary delay in disbursement of pending refunds of exporters despite the commitment of the government for liquidation of Rs 100 billion pending refund claims to save the export industry from the adverse impacts of COVID-19 pandemic.

PTEA's patron-in-chief Khurram Mukhtar says most affected value chain for Pakistan was textiles and apparel which had faced large scale cancellation or deferral of export orders. He demanded restoration of zero-rated regime for five export sectors and sustainable energy tariff for five years. He urged for payment of textile policy incentives Technology Up-gradation Fund (TUF) and Mark-up Support subsidy to keep industrial wheels running and save the livelihood of millions.

Vice Chairman PTEA Haris Yousaf urged the government to take preventive measures and develop strategy to protect the pace of economic and trade progress of Pakistan from likely impacts of world economic slowdown.