ICAC pledges support for Pakistan cotton sector
The International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) recently visited Pakistan to review cotton production there and the factors hindering its growth. The high-level delegation, led by executive director, Eric Trachtenberg, met representatives from the All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) and the Pakistan Textile Council (PTC).
Discussions focused on strategies for strengthening sustainable cotton production in Pakistan and meeting international quality and sustainability standards.
APTMA secretary general, Shahid Sattar, said spinning and weaving operations exporting yarns and fabrics developed from domestic cotton were at a tax disadvantage compared to operators who import cotton from outside the country.
He said this was putting thousands of jobs in Pakistan at risk and called for imports of cotton, yarn, and other intermediate inputs to be subjected to the same tax regime as local produce to create a level playing field.
Eric Trachtenberg said ICAC would publish a high-level policy paper addressing these challenges and offering strategic recommendations to bolster the sector.
