Four trade bodies of Pakistan have asked the government to take action against Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) officials responsible for creating problems for the exporters in the quota management of exports to USA.
In a letter written to Commerce Minister Humayun Akhtar Khan, Chairmen Pakistan Knitwear and Sweater Exporters Association, Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers Association, Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association and Pakistan Cotton Fashion Manufacturers Association demanded prompt remedial measures to save the exporters from severe financial crunch.
They deplored that exporters with available quota in their CPB have been dis-allowed shipments by EPB on the presumption that strong possibility of embargo exists in USA on category 374/348 while category 338 has also been put on hold since there is a possibility of its hitting the ceiling.
They were of the view that mismanagement, despite all available electronic information and EPB's regular contact with the US customs has created a calamitous situation and has created panic among the exporters.
They proposed that those exporters who have orders but can not ship due to quota constraints, if ship goods by first week of January 2005 by air to maintain delivery at destination, their air freight must be paid by government of Pakistan.