Neither market access nor Reconstruction Opportunity Zones (ROZs), the textile industry is heavily dismayed over revival of Pak-US relations. Industry calls it a failure of the Foreign Office, as it's unable to convince US, for 'trade, not aid', in response to the reopening of Nato supplies.
Interestingly, the government has even set no pre-condition of reopening of supplies against earlier higher transit fee. Even, the industry had failed to win market access during the pro-US regime of President Pervez Musharraf, who finally offered relief package worth Rs 30 billion by writing off loans under BPD 29.
President Zardari has been a strong advocate of 'trade, not aid', a slogan coined during the era of former dictator General Zia-ul-Haq, but all in vein, as the US government have been delaying any such facility in one or other pretext.
Debate on ROZs is almost over, leaving the industry with a general impression that the idea of ROZs has become a deadwood. There was not a single word on the idea in press notes or verbal communications of officials from both the US and Pakistan.
Shabbir Ahmed, a leader of bed wear industry, said it was a false promise made by the US, as the US or the EU never delays a facility if they are serious in its execution. He further lamented that the EU was also adopting dilly-dallying attitude in offering market access on 75 items.
Senior Aptma members are of the view that the US has been offering lollypop of ROZs and market access for last 10 years, while 350000 Pakistanis have been killed in drone attacks so far. According to the industry circles, Pakistan is supposed to get $1 billion under Kerry-Lugar bill, provided that the US agrees to release this amount. The industry can earn this amount in a day in case US ensures market access and that would also generate more employment in Pakistan. Resultantly, the poverty level may substantially be reduced by utilising the potential of textile industry that would eventually lessen extreme religious steps. The industry can even make profit amidst energy crisis, if there is market access from the US, they added.
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