Senate body for value addition, innovation in textile sector
Senate Standing Committee on Textile Industry on Thursday stressed the need for value addition and adopting the modern innovative methods in textile industry to enhance the country's exports. The meeting of Senate Standing Committee on Textile Industry was held under the chairmanship of Senator Mohsin Aziz here. "We should adopt the modern tools and follow the innovation and research in textile to make our products competitive in the international markets in this sector", Mohsin Aziz said. He said that country has faced 33 % decline in cotton production as compared to previous years, which need some measures to increase the cotton production in future.
Mohsin Aziz said the textile industry in the country is passing through a critical phase,"We need to take tangible steps for promotion of this important sector." The officials of Ministry of Textile Industry informed the meeting that extensive rain- fall during the season of cotton sowing, led to damage of the cotton crops. He said that less market prices, irrigation issues and different virus in crops also caused the decline of cotton production in the country. He added that in Punjab 44% and in Sindh 4.56 % decline observed in cotton production.
While discussing on the role, functioning and expenditure of Pakistan Central Cotton Committee (PCCC), Senator Saleem Mandviwala showed concern on the research and expenditure of PCCC. Secretary Ministry of Textile Industry, Amir Khan said that in previous two years "We had got good cotton crops but unfortunately this year different natural phenomenon like extensive rainy weather also remained main cause of damage to the cotton crop".Chairman committee Senator Mohsin Aziz appreciated the research and academic work in National Textile University Faisalabad and their well coordinating efforts to provide research facilities to security institutions of the country.
He said the authorities should take immediate remedial measures to modernize this important textile sector accordingly to international standards. Meanwhile, The upper house of the parliament on Thursday decided to seek assistance from the team of experts of Institute of Business Administration (IBA) Karachi for preparations of effective and solid recommendations of Senate Standing Committees. In this regard a high level meeting of Council of Chairman was held here presided over by Chairman Senate Mian Raza Rabani whereas heads of different committees and four member delegation of IBA were attended the meeting. Chairman Senate Mian Raza Rabani has informed the participants regarding this historic step of the senate and also highlighted the importance of the standing committees. Secretary Senate Amjad Pervaiz Malik gave the detail briefing to the Council of Chairman about the amendments in the rules and regulations of Senate.