Textile exporters have demanded of the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) to update them about the excess shipments for the US under six quota categories, held up by the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) in November-December last year, fearing embargo and then raise in air freight under special arrangements in January. The categories in which the shipments were stopped include Cats 360, 361, 369(S), 666(P) and 666(S). There are no reports of receipt from the buyers of the shipments of textile goods worth millions of dollars.
The Towel Manufacturers Association (TMA), in a fax message to Trade Counsellor in Washington, said that as per schedule, many shipments would have been released by now, but till to date, their details were not available with the exporters.
The TMA requested the EPB to update the exporters concerning released shipments as against the number of stuck up shipments because the mater was of utmost concern to the exporters.
The TMA message referred to the Committee on International Trade of America's (Cita) clarification and the schedule given for the release of excess shipments of 2004 in the six quota categories to the US over and above the adjusted levels.
It may be pointed out that the Cita had announced a special schedule for clearance of stuck up shipments during January after the removal of quota restrictions.
-The EPB had made special arrangements for airlifting tonnes of held-up shipments, providing subsidy to the exporters during January.
-The exporters were also allowed to make shipments of their own by sea, which would be released, according to the schedule announced by the Cita.