Exporters to get sales tax relief shortly: minister

LAHORE (April 27 2005): Federal Textiles Industry Minister Mushtaq Ali Cheema has said the government has decided to provide sales tax exemption to exporters and an SRO in this regard will be issued shortly. Addressing the "7th Export Excellence Award Ceremony 2004" of Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PRGMEA) here on Tuesday, he said the government is committed to implement this decision in its true spirit. "This decision will help exporters to overcome their liquidity problems to a great extent," he added.

"In order to address compliance issues, he said, the government has decided to bring changes in existing labour laws. Under the proposed new labour laws, worker can work 60 hours per week while a lady worker will be allowed to work 12 hours a day," he added.

He said new labour laws will be passed through parliament and added that with the implementation of new labour laws, blackmailing practices on the part of labour department officials will come to an end.

He said the government is considering providing duty exemption on import of garment machinery and various options are being discussed.

He also informed that the government has also decided to withdraw sales tax on man-made fiber to provide relief to export community. He said the government has decided to provide 6 percent rebate to value-added industry of textile sector and an SRO in this regard will be issued shortly.

He said the government has also decided to provide foreign trainers and laboratory facilities to those garment factories, which are willing to provide training facilities to workers.

"Certificate awarded by these factories will be recognised all over the country," he added.

Earlier, PRGMEA member companies having excelled in earning highest foreign exchange from exports of garments on countrywide basis and obtain top 20 positions were given awards.

Awards were also given to those 17-member companies of PRGMEA, which obtained higher FOB value of their products.

Companies which were awarded trophies included M/s US Apparel & Textiles (Pvt) Ltd, Lahore; M/s Rajby Industries, Karachi; M/s Ali Murtaza Associates (Pvt) Ltd, Karachi; M/s Sazgard Nine Limited, Lahore; Talon Sports (Pvt) Ltd, Sialkot; Alkaram Textile Mills, Karachi; M/s Denim (Pvt) Ltd, Lahore; M/s Abdullah Apparels (Pvt) Ltd, Karachi; M/s Digital Apparel (Pvt) Ltd, Karachi; M/s Joe's Fashion Export (Pvt) Ltd, Karachi; M/s Musterhaft (Pvt) Ltd, Lahore; M/s Musterhaft (Pvt) Ltd, Lahore; M/s Fatani Impex, Karachi; M/s Casuals Mode (Pvt) Ltd, Karachi; M/s Delta Garments, Lahore; M/s Star Denim Limited, Karachi; M/s Ali Enterprises, Karachi; M/s Belos Clothing, Sialkot; M/s Stylers International (Pvt) Limited, Lahore; M/s Ashraf Industries, Sialkot; M/s Sesil (Pvt) Limited, Sialkot; Joes Fashion Export (Pvt) Limited; N.J. Garments, Lahore; M/s SNS Textiles (Pvt) Limited, Lahore; M/s Rehman and Rehman, Karachi; Rajby Industries, Karachi; M/s Pensy Garments (Pvt) Limited, Lahore; Nizam Sons, Sialkot; M/s Rizwan American Corp, Sialkot; M/s A.M. Merchandising, Karachi; M/s Ambition Apparel, Lahore; M/s Rafi Sons, Karachi; M/s Fareena Textiles, Karachi; Shan Textile, Karachi; M/s Apparel Concepts, Karachi; and M/s Harappa Textiles Mills Limited, Lahore.


Copyright Business Recorder, 2005