Ali Hassan

Pakistan's polyvinyl chloride (PVC) industry can improve its value, competitive edge and diversify exports provided there is a focus on research and development to incorporate modern know-how in the production processes, stressed a senior official of a PVC manufacturing unit. Talking to WealthPK, Jalil Ahmed, the operations manager at MG PVC (pvt) Limited, Rawalpindi, said: "Investing in research and development is important for an industry to achieve better results."

He emphasised that companies in the industry should collaborate to share knowledge, advance technology and encourage new ideas to diversify their production processes. "Focus on research and development can really make PVC products environment-friendly. This will help Pakistan stand out in the international market," Jalil Ahmed maintained.

"PVC industry releases toxic fumes into the air, which can be hazardous to human health. By using sustainable practices and materials that can be renewed, PVC industry can be seen as a responsible and environmentally conscious player in the global market," he added. Jalil Ahmed said it was important to enhance the production capacity of PVC industry by upgrading machinery and adopting advanced technologies like 3D printing to meet the growing demand for PVC products in both local and international markets.

"It is also important to organise skill development and training programmes for the industry's workforce. Having a skilled and knowledgeable workforce will lead to higher productivity, improved product quality, and increased competitiveness."  According to report of Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), the production of plastic increased from 288,460 metric tonnes in FY20 to 299,106 metric tonnes in FY21 at 3.6% growth rate.

"Infrastructure development plays a vital role in facilitating the growth of an industry. Pakistan needs to invest in robust infrastructure, including transportation, and energy systems, to support the expansion of the PVC industry," he said, adding high energy costs had impacted the production capacity. He called for uninterrupted energy supply for sustainable manufacturing. "By building a robust infrastructure, Pakistan can create favourable business environment that can attract both local and foreign investors."

According to the annual report of Punjab Board of Investment and Trade for FY19, exports of plastic and its products increased from $238 million in FY18 to $318.5 million in FY19. Jalil Ahmed also stressed the need for launching joint ventures with international PVC manufacturers to help diversify production and export markets. "By targeting multiple international markets, Pakistan can reach different groups of customers and ensure a more steady and sustainable growth of its PVC industry," he added.

According to a Word Bank report, Pakistan exports plastic and rubber to the United States, Afghanistan, Canada, China and the United Arab Emirates. Jalil Ahmed said the government could boost the PVC industry by providing incentives, tax credits and soft bank loans to the producers to enable them to focus more on research and development.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk