ISLAMABAD: The European Union exceptional trade package of Pakistan meant to support flood victims of 2010 is being implemented from November 15, 2012 as the package has been notified in the official journal of the EU. "If a ship carrying notified products reaches European ports after midnight it is entitled for the tariff concessions," said a Commerce Ministry official.
The EU has granted 75 items duty-free market access under the Autonomous Trade Concessions (ATCs) till December 31, 2013 of which 26 items originated in Pakistan have been offered under Tariff Regulated Quotas (TRQ) while 49 items have been covered under non-tariff regulated quotas.
Entitlement to benefit from the exceptional autonomous trade preferences is conditional to Pakistan's compliance with the relevant rules of origin of products and the procedures related thereto as well as involvement in effective administrative co-operation with the Union to prevent any risk of fraud. Serious and systematic violations of the conditions for the entitlement to the preferential arrangement, fraud or failure to provide administrative co-operation for the verification of origin of goods should constitute reasons for a temporary suspension of the preferences.
In July and August 2010, following heavy monsoon rains, devastating floods affected extensive regions of Pakistan, notably the areas of Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Sindh and Gilgit-Baltistan. According to United Nations sources, the flooding affected some 20 million people and 20 per cent of Pakistan's land, equivalent to at least 160000 square kilometres, and leaving up to 12 million people in need of urgent humanitarian aid.
Humanitarian aid is of course the primary instrument in this kind of situation and the Union has been at the forefront in this field since the beginning of the emergency, committing in excess of Euro 423 million in emergency aid to Pakistan.
The European Council, in a Declaration on Pakistan attached to its Conclusions of 16 September 2010, resolved to mandate Ministers to agree urgently on a comprehensive package of short, medium and longer term measures which will help underpin Pakistan's recovery and future development, comprising ambitious trade measures essential for economic recovery and growth.
European Council underlined its firm commitment to grant exclusively to Pakistan increased market access to the Union through the immediate and time limited reduction of duties on key imports from Pakistan. In the light of that Declaration, the Commission proposed a package identifying 75 tariff lines specific to Pakistan's core export sectors in those areas worst hit by the floods, asserting that an increase in Pakistani exports to the Union of Euro million or more a year would provide real, substantial and worthwhile assistance to the region.
Pakistan's trade with the Union is mainly composed of textiles and clothing products which accounted for 73.7 % of Pakistani exports to the Union in 2009. Pakistan also exports ethanol and leather, which are in addition to textiles and clothing, sensitive industrial products in certain member states where jobs in the industry have already been impacted to varying degrees by the global recession. Those industries are struggling to adapt to a new global trading environment.
The textiles sector is of key importance to the Pakistani economy, accounting for 8.5 % of gross domestic product and employing 38 % of the labour force, about half of which is made up of women. The autonomous trade preferences will be either in the form of an exemption from customs duties upon import in the Union or in the form of tariff-rate quotas.
The products on which the measures are to apply are identified by their eight-digit CN codes. The description of those codes can be found in Annex I to Council Regulation (EEC) No 2658/87 of 23 July 1987 on the tariff and statistical nomenclature and on the Common Customs Tariff (1). The description of the CN codes is given for information purposes only. Dried mushrooms and truffles, whole, cut, sliced, broken or in powder, but not further prepared (other than mushrooms of the genus Agaricus, wood ears (Auricularia spp.) and jelly fungi (Tremella spp.) Single cotton yarn, of uncombed fibres, containing 85 % or more by weight of cotton, measuring less than 714,29 decitex but not less than 232,56 decitex (exceeding 14 metric number but not exceeding 43 metric number), not put up for retail sale.
Single cotton yarn, of combed fibres, containing 85 % or more by weight of cotton, measuring less than 714,29 decitex but not less than 232,56 decitex (exceeding 14 metric number but not exceeding 43 metric number), not put up for retail sale.
Multiple folded or cabled cotton yarn, of uncombed fibres, containing 85 % or more by weight of cotton, measuring per single yarn less than 714,29 decitex but not less than 232,56 decitex (exceeding 14 metric number but not exceeding 43 metric number per single yarn), not put up for retail sale. Multiple folded or cabled cotton yarn, of combed fibres, containing 85 % or more by weight of cotton, measuring per single yarn less than 714,29 decitex but not less than 232,56 decitex (exceeding 14 metric number but not exceeding 43 metric number per single yarn), not put up for retail sale
Unbleached plain woven fabrics of cotton, containing 85 % or more by weight of cotton, weighing not more than 100 g/m2, other than fabrics for the manufacture of bandages, dressings and medical gauzes Unbleached plain woven fabrics of cotton, containing 85 % or more by weight of cotton, weighing more than 100 g/m2 but not more than 130 g/m2, of a width not exceeding 165 cm.
Unbleached plain woven fabrics of cotton, containing 85 % or more by weight of cotton, weighing more than 100 g/m2 but not more than 130 g/m2, of a width exceeding 165 cm. Unbleached woven fabrics of cotton, containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, in 3-thread or 4- thread twill, including cross twill; other unbleached woven fabrics of cotton, containing 85 % or more by weight of cotton.
Bleached plain woven fabrics of cotton, containing 85 % or more by weight of cotton, weighing not more than 100 g/m2, other than fabrics for the manufacture of bandages, dressings and medical gauzes. Bleached plain woven fabrics of cotton, containing 85 % or more by weight of cotton, weighing more than 100 g/m2 but not more than 130 g/m2, of a width exceeding 165 cm.
Bleached plain woven fabrics of cotton, containing 85 % or more by weight of cotton, weighing more than 130 g/m2, of a width not exceeding 165 cm. Other bleached woven fabrics of cotton, containing 85 % or more by weight of cotton.
Printed plain woven fabrics of cotton, containing 85 % or more by weight of cotton, weighing not more than 100 g/m2. Printed plain woven fabrics of cotton, containing 85 % or more by weight of cotton, weighing more than 200 g/m2. Other printed woven fabrics of cotton, containing 85 % or more by weight of cotton.
Unbleached plain woven fabrics of cotton, containing 85 % or more by weight of cotton, weighing more than 200 g/m2. Unbleached woven fabrics of cotton, containing 85 % or more by weight of cotton, weighing more than 200 g/m2, in 3-thread or 4-thread twill, including cross twill.
Other unbleached woven fabrics of cotton, containing 85 % or more by weight of cotton. Bleached woven fabrics of cotton, containing 85 % or more by weight of cotton, weighing more than 200 g/m2, in 3-thread or 4-thread twill, including cross twill.
Other bleached woven fabrics of cotton, containing 85 % or more by weight of cotton. Dyed woven fabrics of cotton, containing 85 % or more by weight of cotton, weighing more than 200 g/m2, in 3-thread or 4-thread twill, including cross twill.
Unbleached woven fabrics of cotton, containing less than 85 % by weight of cotton, mixed principally or solely with man-made fibres, weighing more than 200 g/m2, in 3-thread or 4-thread twill, including cross twill. Woven fabrics of yarn containing less than 85 % by weight of synthetic filaments, including woven fabrics obtained from synthetic monofilament of 67 decitex or more and of which no cross-sectional dimension exceeds 1 mm, mixed mainly or solely with cotton, unbleached or bleached.
Woven fabrics of yarn containing less than 85 % by weight of synthetic filaments, including woven fabrics obtained from synthetic monofilament of 67 decitex or more and of which no cross-sectional dimension exceeds 1 mm, mixed mainly or solely with cotton, dyed. Woven fabrics of polyester staple fibres, containing less than 85 % by weight of such fibres, mixed mainly or solely with cotton, of a weight not exceeding 170 g/m2, plain weave, unbleached or bleached, of a width of 165 cm or less.
Woven fabrics of polyester staple fibres, containing less than 85 % by weight of such fibres, mixed mainly or solely with cotton, of a weight not exceeding 170 g/m2, plain weave, dyed. Woven fabrics of polyester staple fibres, containing less than 85 % by weight of such fibres, mixed mainly or solely with cotton, of a weight not exceeding 170 g/m2, printed.
Men's or boys' anoraks (including ski jackets), windcheaters, wind-jackets and similar articles, of cotton, knitted or crocheted. Track-suits of synthetic fibres, knitted or crocheted. Gloves impregnated, coated or covered with rubber, knitted or crocheted. Mittens and mitts, impregnated, coated or covered with plastics or rubber, knitted or crocheted, and gloves, impregnated, coated or covered with plastics, knitted or crocheted.
Gloves, mittens and mitts, of cotton, knitted or crocheted. Gloves, mittens and mitts, of synthetic fibres, knitted or crocheted. Men's or boys' anoraks, windcheaters, wind-jackets and similar articles, of man-made fibres. Men's or boys' trousers and breeches of synthetic fibres (other than industrial and occupational). Women's or girls' ensembles, of cotton (other than industrial and occupational).
Women's or girls' cotton shorts. Men's or boys' singlets and other vests, bathrobes, dressing gowns and similar articles, of cotton. Women's or girls' singlets and other vests, briefs, panties, negligees, bathrobes, dressing gowns and similar articles, of cotton. Women's or girls' aprons, overalls, smock-overalls and other industrial and occupational clothing of man- made fibres.
Gloves, mittens and mitts. Curtains (including drapes) and interior blinds, curtain or bed valances, of cotton, not knitted or crocheted. Curtains (including drapes) and interior blinds, curtain or bed valances, of synthetic fibres, not non-wovens, not knitted or crocheted.
Curtains (including drapes) and interior blinds, curtain or bed valances, not of cotton or synthetic fibres, not non-woven, not knitted or crocheted. Other furnishing articles, of cotton, not knitted or crocheted. Floor cloths, dishcloths, dusters and similar cleaning cloths, not knitted or crocheted, not non-woven. Other made-up textile articles, including dress patterns, not knitted or crocheted, not of felt.
PRODUCT SUBJECT TO ANNUAL DUTY-FREE TARIFF QUOTAS REFERRED TO IN ARTICLE 3 The products on which measures are to apply are identified by their eight-digit CN codes. The description of those codes can be found in Annex I to Regulation (EEC) No 2658/87. The description of the CN codes is given for information purposes only. Undenatured ethyl alcohol, of actual alcoholic strength of ? 80 %; 18,750 tonnes;
Grain splits of bovine (including buffalo) leather, without hair on, further prepared after tanning or crusting, other than whole hides and skins; 89 tonnes. Leather of bovine (including buffalo), without hair on, further prepared after tanning or crusting; other than whole hides and skins, other than unsplit full grains and grain splits ; 90,25 tonnes.
Gloves, mittens and mitts, of leather or composition leather, specially designed for use in sports; 361,75 tonnes; Gloves, mittens and mitts, of leather or composition leather, protective for all trades, other than specially designed for use in sports, 1566,5 tonnes.
Men's and boys' gloves, mittens and mitts, of leather or composition leather, other than specially designed for use in sports, other than protective for all trades; 62,75 tonnes; Gloves, mittens and mitts, of leather or composition leather, other than specially designed for use in sports, other than protective for all trades, other than men's and boys'; 135,5 tonnes.
Single cotton yarn, of combed fibres, containing 85 % or more by weight of cotton, measuring less than 232,56 decitex but not less than 192,31 decitex (exceeding 43 metric number but not exceeding 52 metric number), not put up for retail sale; 1790 tonnes. Single cotton yarn, of combed fibres, containing 85 % or more by weight of cotton, measuring less than 192,31 decitex but not less than 125 decitex (exceeding 52 metric number but not exceeding 80 metric number), not put up for retail sale; 1276,25 tonnes;
Other dyed woven fabrics of cotton, containing 85 % or more by weight of cotton; 421,25 tonnes; Other dyed woven fabrics of cotton, containing 85 % or more by weight of cotton, weighing more than 200 g/m2; 689,25 tonnes.
Yarn (other than sewing thread) of polyester staple fibres, mixed mainly or solely with cotton, not put up for retail sale; 3061 tonnes. Men's or boys' jackets and blazers, of cotton, knitted or crocheted; 249,75 tonnes. Men's or boys' trousers, bib and brace overalls, breeches and shorts (other than swimwear), of cotton, knitted or crocheted; 568,75 tonnes.
Men's or boys' night-shirts and pyjamas, of cotton, knitted or crocheted; 167,5 tonnes; Women's or girls' night-dresses and pyjamas, of cotton, knitted or crocheted; 374,5 tonnes; T-shirts, singlets and other vests of wool or fine animal hair or man-made fibres, knitted or crocheted; 297,5 tonnes;
Babies' garments and clothing accessories, of cotton, knitted or crocheted (other than gloves, mittens and mitts); 153,5 tonnes; Pantyhose, tights, stockings, socks and other hosiery and footwear without applied soles, of cotton, knitted or crocheted (excluding graduated compression hosiery, pantyhose and tights, women's full-length or knee- length stockings, measuring per single yarn less than 67 decitex); 2 263 tonnes;
Women's or girls' cotton denim trousers and breeches (other than industrial and occupational); 1892,75 tonnes; Women's or girls' garments, of cotton; 96,5 tonnes; Toilet linen and kitchen linen, of terry towelling or similar terry fabrics, of cotton; 9602 tonnes;
Toilet linen and kitchen linen, of cotton, other than of terry towelling or similar terry fabrics; 2499,25 tonnes; Footwear with outer soles of rubber, plastics or composition leather and uppers of leather, with in-soles of a length of 24 cm or more, which cannot be identified as men's or women's footwear, other than sports footwear and footwear incorporating a protective metal toecap, not covering the ankle, not made on a base or platform of wood (not having an inner sole), other than footwear with a vamp made of straps or which has one or several pieces cut out, other than slippers; 60,5 tonnes;
Footwear with outer soles of rubber, plastics or composition leather and uppers of leather, with in-soles of a length of 24 cm or more, for men, other than sports footwear and footwear incorporating a protective metal toecap, not covering the ankle, not made on a base or platform of wood (not having an inner sole), other than footwear with a vamp made of straps or which has one or several pieces cut out, other than slippers; 363,25 tonnes.
Footwear with outer soles of rubber, plastics or composition leather and uppers of leather, with in-soles of a length of 24 cm or more, for women, other than sports footwear and footwear incorporating a protective metal toecap, not covering the ankle, not made on a base or platform of wood (not having an inner sole), other than footwear with a vamp made of straps or which has one or several pieces cut out, other than slippers; 172,75 tonnes.
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