Work for granting MFN to India completed: Pak envoy

07 Apr '14

2 min read

The necessary work for granting Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status to India is completed, but further progress on the issue could be made only after a new Government takes office in India, Abdul Basit, who was recently appointed as Pakistan’s High Commissioner to India, has said.

Inaugurating the ‘Made in Pakistan Expo 2014’ in Mumbai, Mr. Basit said Pakistan has completed work for granting MFN status to India, as it seeks to have a level-playing field with India, and bring the two countries closer.

Rukhsana Shah, Secretary, Ministry of Textiles Industry, Government of Pakistan, said the granting of MFN status would open up the economies of both countries to trade and investment, and would be a win-win situation for both the nations.

She said the textile sector in Pakistan is a major industry, which employs nearly 40 percent of the country’s workforce and serves both the domestic and global markets.

She added that it was imperative to boost bilateral trade between the two neighbouring countries, and non-discriminative market access (NDMA) was necessary for the purpose.

The Made in Pakistan Expo 2014 is organized by the Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PRGMEA), event management company EVECON, the All India Association of Industries and the Mumbai-based MVIRDC World Trade Centre.

The expo is the first solo exhibition of Pakistani textiles being organized in India. More than 100 Pakistani textile companies, including Khaadi, Gul Ahmed, Lala Textile and Ittehad are showcasing their products at the fair.

Lawn print suits, yarn, fabric, home textiles and garments are among the products that are being displayed by Pakistani brands at the trade fair, which has been supported by the Ministries of Commerce and Industry and External Affairs, Government of India.

Fibre2fashion News Desk-India

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