巴基斯坦纺织业面临多重挑战

Core Insights - The textile industry in Pakistan, a crucial pillar for export revenue and employment, is facing multiple challenges, nearing a "critical point" due to high costs and weak exports [1][3] - The Pakistan Textile Committee (PTC) and the All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) have raised concerns about energy supply issues and high operational costs, leading to calls for tax relief on natural gas to mitigate winter energy challenges [1][2] Group 1: Industry Challenges - High electricity costs and unstable power supply are pressuring textile production, with electricity prices in Pakistan at approximately 13.2 cents per kWh, significantly higher than competitors like Bangladesh (10.2 cents), Vietnam (7.0 cents), and India (9.5 cents) [1] - The winter energy demand exacerbates the situation, with frequent voltage fluctuations and power outages causing production losses that can reach 5%-8% of monthly revenue for textile companies [1] - The tax burden is squeezing profit margins, with a corporate tax rate of 29% and additional taxes, including an 18% sales tax and various federal and provincial levies, impacting cash flow and competitiveness [2] Group 2: Export Performance - Textile and apparel exports totaled $7.84 billion from July to November 2025, showing a modest year-on-year increase of 2.8%, but November's exports fell to $1.43 billion, a 2.7% year-on-year decline and an 11.7% month-on-month drop [2] - The inability to pass rising costs onto international buyers highlights structural issues within the industry, despite it being Pakistan's strongest export sector [2] Group 3: Economic Impact - The textile sector accounts for nearly 60% of Pakistan's total exports and employs 15 million people, indicating that its struggles have broader macroeconomic implications [3] - PTC Chairman Anwar emphasized that the current challenges stem from policy-induced costs rather than production inefficiencies, warning that without government intervention to lower energy costs and improve the financing environment, the industry could face severe consequences, including permanent loss of international orders [3]