KARACHI: The Union of Small and Medium Enterprises (UNISAME) is receiving complaints from SME units who are manufacturing textile, confectionery, stationery, furniture, fans and food items about imports from friendly and favoured countries under Free Trade Agreements (FTA) by virtue of which imports are duty free making the domestic industry uncompetitive.
Policymakers who are in a position to influence the Ministry of Commerce and also SMEDA are requested to take note of this grievance as many industries will close. Some countries are dumping their goods and destroying our indigenous industry.
UNISAME appeals to policymakers to foresee and include only those items which are not made in Pakistan or not having sufficient capacity to meet the domestic demand or not made as per international standard.
Union chief Zulfikar Thaver said, “We have sought appointment with PM, FM and commerce minister to invite their kind attention to the urgent need for tariff protection.”
Thaver simultaneously urged the SME units to maintain benchmark and also upgrade their products to reach international standards.
He also requested SMEDA to offer technical support to SME units for product improvement and educate them on international standards and requirements.
