By INP-WealthPK ISLAMABAD, Nov 10 (INP-WealthPK): The Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PHMA) and the Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PRGMEA) have demanded the government to ensure uninterrupted gas and electricity supply at competitive rates to the export-oriented industries to maintain the growth in exports during the fiscal year 2021-22. Currently, the export-oriented industry is getting gas at a competitive rate of Rs 6.5 per unit. The government plans to withdraw the provision of subsidised gas to the industry. According to a press statement, PHMA Central Chairman Shahzad Azam Khan pointed out that the government in August this year had approved Rs 68 billion for the extension of concessional rates of electricity and gas, which should now be utilised for a sustained increase in exports by providing energy at regionally competitive rates. Mr Azam Khan emphasised the need to keep incentivising export-oriented sectors to take the exports to the next level, as the knitwear garments’ export had already surged by 36.57% during FY 2020-21, while Pakistan's overall exports had increased from US$21.39 billion to US$25.30 billion, up by 18.28%, in which textile group’s shares were the highest at 60.86% while that of knitwear stood at 25%. The PHMA central chairman said Pakistan's exports of knitwear and other knitted garments and hosiery had always played the leading role in exports growth, as the industry continued to show its resilience to the coronavirus pandemic. He urged the government to give first priority to the textile export industry in respect of gas supply which contributes more than 60% to national exports. The government, under the Natural Gas Load Management Policy, has upgraded five zero-rated export-oriented industries to the second position, which he said should be given the first position and general industries second position in the priority list. Mr Azam observed that by showing comparatively good performance the value-added textile category had proved that it had been the main driver of growth in the country's overall exports. He said the value-added sector achieved growth because of preferential access to the European Union under the GSP-Plus scheme, which could further be enhanced with the government's support. He observed that the knitwear industry was less capital-intensive, provided four times as many jobs for the same investment, used less energy and added more value. He said the apparel sector could play a leading role in earning foreign exchange and boosting exports. In a separate statement, PRGMEA regional chairman Sheikh Luqman Amin demanded of the government to prioritise the value-added apparel industry in energy supply at competitive rates. He said the apparel industry could generate foreign exchange, contribute to local taxes and generate employment. He said the government during a meeting with the stakeholders had decided that gas would be supplied to the processing units as the priority number one at competitive prices.