Pakistan Suggested That The US Delegation Consider Tariff Free Access To The US Market.

Entrepreneurs in Pakistan's textile industry have asked the visiting US government delegation to allow Pakistan customs to enter the United States at least.

The delegation was composed of the office of the president of the United States, the South Asia expert of the office of the United States trade representative and an official of the US embassy. The delegation met with Pakistan textile merchants in Lahore to discuss with them the issue of market access.

The US delegation acknowledges that the United States Senate immediately ratified the reconstruction opportunities area in the Pakistan earthquake area and the fight against terrorism. Law There are problems.

The reconstruction opportunity zone (ROZ) Bill passed in the US House of representatives in June 11, 2009. Since then, the US Senate has not accepted the bill.

According to sources from the conference, when the US delegation sought alternative proposals from textile manufacturers, they asked the United States to grant tariff free access to the US market for the value-added clothing industry, even if the export quota was set at US $1 billion.

Participants pointed out that Pakistan played a minor role in the US $55 billion 293 million clothing market, with exports of only US $1 billion 493 million.

They further pointed out that Pakistan clothing exports to the United States remained at the level of 2008, while the market share was 2.09%.

During the same period, China, Vietnam, Indonesia and Bangladesh increased their exports to the United States by 22%, 13%, 10% and 14% respectively. The total size of clothing import market in the United States in 2010 was 33%, 25%, 15% and 12% respectively.

They say that even if the ceiling of $1 billion is set, 30% of the already closed textile production capacity will be restored in the first year.

They say that from the beginning of second years, a new investment of US $800 million a year. Because the labour intensive clothing industry will get right of admission As a result, 10 million new jobs will be created, of which 60% will be given to women.

They say clothing exporters in Pakistan will take a small share from other major US exporters.

They pointed out that the majority of garment exporters are small and medium-sized enterprises.

They say that once they get market access, such as Bangladesh's clothing industry, their business It will become bigger and bigger.

Sources said that the US delegation avoided making any commitments. However, the delegation promised that they would discuss these proposals at a higher level when they returned to the United States.