The Towel Manufacturers' Association of Pakistan (TMA) has regretted the delay in implementation of tariff concessions offered by the European Union (EU) to textile products including towels, aimed at supporting the south Asian country cope with economic losses suffered due to heavy floods in 2010.
In February this year, the World Trade Organization's (WTO's) Council for Trade in Goods approved a package that allows a total of 75 Pakistani items duty-free export to the EU markets until the end of 2013. However, the package can come into force only after completion of EU internal procedures, which includes approval from the EU Council and the EU Parliament.
In a press statement, TMA Chairman Feroze Alam Lari said the TMA got in touch with all concerned authorities, including the Pakistan mission to the European Communities, Belgium, and Ministry of Commerce, urging them to ensure implementation of the EU concessions.
The non-implementation of tariff concessions is holding back the association members from planning and devising proper sales strategies, Mr. Lari said.
Also, it is leading to confusion amongst the importers, who are in a dilemma about procuring their requirements, as Bangladesh is already enjoying duty free status. This is causing the TMA members to suffer as they are losing opportunity to export their goods to the EU, he added.
Mr. Lari thus called on the Ministry of Commerce to urge the EU nations for immediate implementation of their tariff concessions offer with retrospective effect, so as to help Pakistani exporters revive their businesses.
Fibre2fashion News Desk - India
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