Commerce Secretary Tasneem Noorani on Saturday left for Brussels, Belgium to hold consultation with European Commission (EC) officials regarding their new Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) scheme. Noorani will hold parleys with Pascal Lamy, EC's Trade Commissioner and other high officials of the European Commission on GSP scheme, anti-dumping and early release of textile quota. The discussions will continue from September 13 to 15.
The European Commission is in the process of launching a new GSP scheme from January 1, 2006, which will be valid till 2015.
The amount of custom duties levied on Pakistan's exports to EU under its GSP scheme will directly affect Pakistan's export competitiveness.
The EC Trade Commissioner, Pascal Lamy has offered to consult with Pakistan before finalising the new GSP scheme. The EC has also initiated review of anti-dumping duty on the export of bed linen from Pakistan.
Secretary Commerce will hold discussions with European Commission for a positive finding. Another urgent issue to be discussed with the EC relates to early release of additional quota to the extent of 4,000 MT. Any delay by EU on this account will hamper Pakistan's clothing exports to the EU.