Pakistan likely to achieve approximately 13 million bales of cotton production in the coming season that will help recover its cotton losses from last year. This was informed at the fourth meeting of Federal Textile Board (FTB) chaired by Federal Minister for Commerce Khurram Dastgir Khan held on Monday.

The stakeholders were informed by Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association (PCGA) and Cotton Commissioner that through close coordination between federal government and government of Punjab the Pink bollworm, which had damaged the cotton crop last year, had largely been controlled.

Furthermore, a large number of farmers have been trained to drain their fields properly so that their crops can be safeguarded.

All the stakeholders across the value chain beginning from ginners, weavers, spinners, bed sheet manufacturers and garment manufacturers made detailed presentations on current state of exports in their sectors and gave suggestions for improvements in the policies.

The minister informed those present that under Prime Minister Nawaz leadership the PML (N) govt had already facilitated the exporters through zero-rating, unprecedented cuts in exports financing rates, uninterrupted supply of electricity and gas and repeated reduction in electricity prices and assured the stakeholders of full government support.

Minister expressed confidence that in spite of challenging international environment Pakistani exporters have the ability to rise to the challenge and grow Pakistani exports.

The textile association welcomed the efforts and support of government & Ministry and thanked the support extended by the Minister for Commerce/Chairman Federal Textile Board.