All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) has demanded imposition of 10 per cent regulatory duty on the import of yarns and fabrics to support the domestic trade. The association has written to the ministry of finance seeking the imposition on these two products.

According to the numbers quoted by APTMA, during the last fiscal year 2014-15, yarns (chapter 54-55) and fabrics (chapter 54-55) amounting to Rs 92.217 billion were imported compared to Rs 63.416 billion in FY13. A large quantity of yarns and fabrics is being imported from India, capturing the share of domestic market. Therefore, APTMA demands regulatory duty on the import of yeans and fabrics to protect the domestic industry and trade, it said.

Import data of the Federal Bureau of Statistics (FBS) revealed that import of yarns and fabrics have increased in quantity by 37 per cent and 56 per cent, respectively from 2012-13 to 2014-15. According to the Chairman APTMA, surge in import of yarns and fabrics in Pakistan is adversely affecting the domestic industry resulting in closures of mills producing yarns and fabrics meant for domestic consumption.

www.aptma.org.pk