KARACHI (July 23, 2008): Cotton prices hit Rs 4,200 per maund historical peak on Tuesday in the domestic market on the back of slow arrival of Phutti and high cotton demand, besides expected shortfall in the cotton crop, traders said. They said the late sowing of cotton had delayed the Phutti arrival in the ginning factories, while the demand for raw cotton by the millers rapidly increasing across the country.

KARACHI (July 23, 2008): The President of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), Tanvir A. Sheikh, has strongly criticised the export of 10,000 cotton bales to India. He demanded that the government must immediately reverse this decision otherwise textile industry of Pakistan would face severe problems.

KARACHI (July 23, 2008): Cotton prices touched the high mark of Rs 4150.The official spot rate maintained the upward march for the second day as mills continued forward buying in anticipation of further rise in prices in the coming days, dealers said on the cotton market on Tuesday. The Karachi Cotton Association (KCA) official spot rate was higher by Rs 100 Rs 3850, dealers said.

KARACHI (July 23, 2008): Muhammad Iqbal Ebrahim, Chairman, All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (Aptma) has expressed his concern over prevailing high gas rate for Captive Power Plants (CPPs) which has not yet been resolved even though the government has given firm assurance to resolve this issue and bring the gas tariff at par for both CPPs and the general industry.

SIALKOT (July 23, 2008): A former chairman of Pakistan Readymade Garment Manufacturer and Exporters Association (Prgmea), Ijaz Khokhar, has said that the rapid increase in petroleum prices has created a negative impact on productivity in the country. Talking to newsmen here on Tuesday he said that time and again increase in petroleum prices has created serious problems for fulfilling the foreign orders because cost of production has been increased manifold.

KARACHI (July 22, 2008): Official spot rate sent higher as phutti arrivals halted, dealers said on the cotton market on Monday. The Karachi Cotton Association (KCA) official spot rate was higher by Rs 50 Rs 3750, dealers said. Phutti prices in Punjab were at Rs 1950-2000 while rates in Sindh were firm at Rs 1950-1975, they said.

KARACHI (July 21, 2008): Imports of textile machinery declined by 13 percent during the last fiscal year, due mainly to persistent crisis in the textile sector and the high cost of doing business in the country, importers said.

KARACHI (July 21, 2008): Expectation that timely rain with no major pest attack will yield good cotton, backed also by PM's assurance that textile sector problem will shortly be solved consumers returned to market. Spot rate was at Rs 3650 on the opening day. It stood at Rs 3700 on the last of the week on July 19, 2008.

KARACHI (July 21, 2008): Cotton harvesting is gaining momentum with the passing of tome. Unlike previous seasons, Punjab is earlier in cotton harvesting as some 60 ginning factories in cotton areas of Central Punjab have commenced operation in new crop cotton whereas in Sindh only 5-6 ginning factories are operating. Field reports indicate some 150,000 bales have been ginned and pressed by the middle of this month.

SIALKOT (July 21, 2008): Former Chairman Pakistan Readymade Garment Manufacturer and Exporters Association (PRGMEA) Ijaz Khokhar has said that impact of new trade policy would improve the business activities in the country.