Federal Commerce Minister Humayun Akhtar has said that anti-dumping duty could be imposed on import of Chinese shoes if the local footwear industry convince the National Tariff Commission (NTC) on its case.
Responding to a question at a press conference held at a local hotel here, on Tuesday, the minister said that the government wants to save the local industry and every step could be taken in this regard.
He said that the local footwear industry is basically a cottage industry and it is not even well documented. "If the country''s footwear industry convinces the NTC on its case, anti-dumping duty can be imposed on import of shoes from China," he added.
Humayun said that Bilateral Investment Treaty between Pakistan and the United States would be signed in the next few months. He said that both the countries are making efforts to reach consensus on the last few points of the agreement.
The minister clarified that there is no US pressure on Pakistan''s trade with Iran. "Pakistan has ratified a Preferential Trade Agreement with Iran and is awaiting Iranian response," he said, adding that it would be done very soon.
He said that Pakistan''s garment exports have registered an increase of around 14 percent after reducing anti-dumping duty on it by the European Union.
He said trade with India is on the rise and now it is touching $2 billion, while it is expected to reach $3 billion mark by the end of this year.
Regarding sugar crisis in the country, the minister said that the sugar production declined this year, which was the main cause of sugar crisis in the country. The total production of the commodity this year was 2.5 million tonnes against the total exemption of 4 million tonnes, he said, adding that the government is importing sugar to stabilise prices in the country.
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