Strategic export revival programme to be unveiled this month

The overall export earnings showed a modest month-on-month recovery in August as the commerce ministry is set to announce a plan for reopening the operations of more than 1,600 textile industries that were shut down in the past 16 months, a high-ranking government official told Dawn. A strategic framework is being finalised to provide regional competitive energy pricing, working capital support, speedy refund payments, enhanced market access, and diversification of products. “The policy announcement is scheduled for this month to unlock the full production capacity potential within the country”, Caretaker Commerce Minister Gohar Ejaz told Dawn on Saturday. The shutdown of industries extends throughout the entire value chain, encompassing stages such as ginning, weaving, spinning, processing and garment manufacturing. Additionally, there are instances where industries are operating with reduced production levels, he said. Mr Ejaz further said that approximately 20pc of the overall installed capacity in the textile and clothing sector was impacted over the past 16 months.