Export industry needs uninterrupted gas supply to meet shipment dates

ISLAMABAD: The UK-Pakistan Business Council has said that the export industry badly needs uninterrupted supply of gas to meet shipment dates of export orders.

Talking to a delegation of exporters led by Majid Yousaf in Lahore, UK-Pakistan Business Council chairman Mian Kashif Ashfaq said that the federal government, in the larger national interests, must devise such a viable strategy that the export industry should not be affected at all, otherwise it will definitely slow down the economic growth, resulting in a loss of foreign exchange, besides depriving the foreign buyers and markets.

He said world over, industrial sector, especially the export-oriented is always accorded top priority for supply of gas and electricity over other commercial activities because both fuels are termed as the engine of growth and their lifelines, according to a statement received here.

Ashfaq said that the government is expecting total exports of $38.7 billion in the current financial year, compared with $25.3 billion last fiscal year, adding that to achieve this target, the export industry should be fully ensured regular gas provision.

The natural gas is the second most used energy resource for the industry after electricity, which also fuels many industrial process that produces materials and goods ranging from glass to clothing and it’s an important ingredient in export products, as well.

Yousaf stressed the urgent need for unlocking new energy resources for meeting the ever-increasing national needs, especially industrial sector on top priority.

The industry is always considered as the backbone of economy, which must be given vital importance for the survival of the country, he said, adding that hat to avert cancellation of export orders, federal Energy Minister Hammad Azhar and Adviser to the Prime Minister on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood must take all stakeholders into confidence, while finalising the gas distribution during the period of its acute shortage in the country.

Ashfaq, who is also the CEO of the Pakistan Furniture Council, assured the delegation that their grievances will be taken up immediately with the higher authorities for their redressal and even the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) will also be involved to voice their genuine concerns.

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