APTMA could hike exports to US$ 50 billion: Gohar Ejaz

LAHORE: Former commerce minister Gohar Ejaz on Monday said that the All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) could enhance exports to 50 billion dollars from current US$19 billions.

Addressing a press conference at APTMA House in Lahore, Gohar Ejaz said, “We are demanding since five years for increasing cotton production but instead of cottong we are sowing sugarcane, which needs more water”.

“It is our policy drawback that we are increasing sugarcane production,” Ejaz said. “We have to revive the cotton crop”.

He said Pakistani exporters despite importing cotton from US and Brazil, still exporting 19 billion dollars items.

Gohar Ejaz said that Pakistan’s loan has been 10 billion dollars and we could payback it in a year. “APTMA only demands that it being taken into confidence over each decision” he said.

He said Pakistan has best opportunity, it is winning respect in the world. “The military and the prime minister are getting the respect, which didn’t offerd to anyone in the past,” former minister said.