ISLAMABAD: January 24, 2023: The Pakistan Polypropylene Woven Sack Manufacturers Association (PWSMA) has demanded of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) to add polypropylene granules on the essential import list urging that it’s a basic raw material used to make bags for whole chain of industry for packing of finished products.
PWSMA, in its letter addressed to SBP Governor, Mr Jameel Ahmad, said since SBP has allowed import of essential items on top priority basis it’s requested that polypropylene granules be included in the list as its used in packing used to handle food items in loose and made up forms.
The association noted in its letter that inclusion of polypropylene granules in the list of essential items is a matter of urgent nature as of essential items cannot be packed and handled without food grain woven sacks
PWSMA added that the environment friendly and food grade polypropylene bags are used for packing of flour, sugar, pulses, seeds, poultry feeds and other sectors related to food security. It also maintained that entire fertilizer, textile, chemical feed and cement sector uses polypropylene woven bags for packaging of finished products.
PWSMA further said that the Punjab government has issued a tender for the procurement of 72 million polypropylene bags for packaging of upcoming wheat grain and its also the same case with other provinces whose are going to issue tender for purchase of polypropylene bags for packing of wheat grain of the current season.
It urged upon SBP Governor , Mr Jameel Ahmad, to include polypropylene granules HS Code 3902 -1000 and 3901-1000, an industry specific raw material for the L/Cs to be established under EPD Circular letter issued on December 27 last year for essential imports by registered polypropylene bag manufacturing companies.
When contacted for comments on the issue, PWSMA chairman, Sikander A Khan, said allowing import of polypropylene granules is an urgency as none of the food items or food related products including wheat, wheat flour and sugar could be packed without food grain packaging of polypropylene woven sacks. He said “ We have informed the SBP of the urgency and hope that its authorities till take our call for inclusion of poly propylene granules in the list of essential imports”.