A special interview with the Chairman of Towel Manufacturers' Association of Pakistan
By: Mawaiz Khan Akash
BM. Would you like to comment on the role of Towel Manufacturers Association of Pakistan?
Ans: An association's role is a specialization of an association, used to describe an association's behavior in a particular context. It ponders over such problems that can't be resolved individually by the members of any association. Towel Manufacturers' Association of Pakistan is working like a bridge between Govt. and its members. Towel Manufacturers' Association always made its best to pen down the problems and issues pertaining to its members including sales tax, income tax, custom duty and development of Research & Development. Additionally, it left no stone unturned to facilitate government with revenue, which is the need of one of ruling party to run state's affairs properly and promptly. We are trying our best to be participating in national and international exhibitions while gaining achievements. In the nutshell, the TMAP is playing a key role in promotion of industry and honouring the benefits of its members as well.

B.M. How do you manage your responsibilities being a chairman of TMA?
Ans: One thing that I need to discuss is that TMA has been divided into two circles; the one is in the Karachi, which represents Sindh and Balochistan, and the second in Lahore that represents Northern Area, Fata and Punjab. Both are operating separately and have their own responsibilities. Both of the circles have their own sub- committees according to their region. Additionally they maintain reports and present to it's chairman of circle and then chairman of that circle further presents the report to Central Chairman in order to evaluate the responsibilities. As far as the responsibilities are concerned there are many difficulties in managing the responsibilities. As the image is not far behind that entire financial crisis hit the whole world and it's bad impacts are being witnessed in Pakistan. In this continuation we met many government officials and put the problems in front of them. Additionally we, on behalf of us solved all issues and problems on priority bases. Our all members are with devotion and have always proved efficient in their assigned role.

B.M. How do you comment on the economic and commercial policies executed by Govt. of Pakistan?
Ans: Actually the execution of economic policies by the government are not well prepared and contented. Our continuous meeting and constant consultation with the government officials is to get the policies changed linking exporting. As you know the Towel Manufacturers' Association of Pakistan is 99% export-oriented industry and whatever we are doing, just for the sake of TMAP. Secondly, interest rate is harming and hurting the business community adversely and it would have to bring to the level of our competitors like India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. I would conclude further that 9% indirect taxes doesn't entertain the exporters and are considered invisible. Elaborately, the payment of R & D and other payments of our members are still due against the government.

Regrettably, no government ever thought about long-term policies, which verifies the industry of one's country as holistic and futuristic way. We don't talk about Western countries rather to talk our neighbours including India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Current ruling party, somehow, is reluctant to look into long-term policies that would feature our industrialization by the grace of Allah.

BM. How do you support the members of your association including their rights, issues and problems as well?
Ans: I would be pleased to take about that here we have R & D department. It is a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion and development of research in general and in the fields of accounting, business, management, taxation and finance in particular. The Association publishes research studies and books in the above areas and fields. The Journal of Accounting & Finance is a biannual academic and research journal published by it to facilitate its members.  Secondly the establishment of SMA Rizvi Textile Institute based on Weaving and Wet Processing Technologies. The unique blend of the curriculum and a highly qualified faculty enables the institute to provide a favorable environment for grooming its students. Its academic programs prepare the students to meet the challenges of business in textile industry. The institute provides a healthy and congenial environment for an extensive program of interaction of students with professionals from the industry. There are ample opportunities for the students to test experimentally at lab scale and bulk scale in pilot plant, the concepts introduced in the lectures. Library, computer learning and hands-on mill training are normal ingredients of our course structure. In this respect, the Benazir Youth Program's director also contacted us for the enrolment of the students in our institute.

BM. Would you like to throw light on the role of Pakistan commercial consulates deployed in foreign countries?
Ans: Basically, the commercial consulate has pivotal and key role to channelize the business of one's country. As I see it that general consulate of Pakistan deployed in a foreign country, however, don't have sacrificial and authentic role. When I took over the charge of TMAP as a chairman I am much disappointed witnessing out no positive role of commercial consulate. This is serious issue that could be resolved while having great consensus between Govt. and business community.

BM.  The whole country is facing through a huge of power crisis.  How do you see the power crisis in the city like Karachi that is generating high revenue to the government?
Ans: It is a matter of great concern that technically there is no shortage of electricity rather the failure of power engines. If all the power generation plants are properly run and fuel charges are paid, then I don't think we would be falling on evil days. It had better to pay attention to the mechanism and management of KESC besides making a sad countenance over loadshedding.

BM. How do you support the policies of commerce & industry minister M. A Rauf Siddiqui regarding business scenario?
Ans: well, I take it well. He is much aggressive regarding industrial affairs. He constituted a company by allocating Rs. 25 billions fund and urged the business community to utilize this fund as per requirement including the complete infrastructure. Fortunately, this fund has started utilizing for welfare of industry and industry making progress; it is laudable effort by him.

BM. Would you like to convey any message to the business community through our magazine?
Ans: Towel Manufacturers' Association of Pakistan has passed a successful period of two years and still servicing magnificently to its industry. It has prepared a complete mechanism of strategies and policies to facilitate the business community.  mawaiz.khan@businessmonitorpk.com