The value-added sector has urged the government to plead forcefully the case of Pakistan for duty free entry of Pakistani textile in the US market. Both the chairmen of Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers Association (PHMA) and Pakistan Sweater Exporters Association (PAKSEA) said in a press statement that Pakistan should seek a preferential treatment from the US due to its proactive role in war against terrorism.
Adil Butt, Vice Chairman PHMA and Shahzad Azam Khan Chairman PAKSEA said USA is working on a legislation to extend duty free entry to textile products of 14 least developed countries. It will provide them advantage over Pakistan to export their products to USA because US importers would be availing zero import duty on such products.
Pakistan has remained an important ally of USA and a front line state in the war against terrorism and has suffered tremendous loss but EU and US have not so far acknowledged our services in the shape of any practical steps. Textiles constitute about 67 percent of Pakistan's exports and is a major source of foreign earnings but in the international market this vital sector of our economy has never been supported.
The support in the name of financial aid will not support our backbone textile industry, the major export of which is destined to USA and European Union. Our allies in the struggle against terrorism should realise that our economy has suffered major losses over the last decade and our textile industry has been badly hit due to on-going war like situation.
The only and best way to support would be allowing duty free access to our textile products so that our industry may keep on moving and our labour force remains employed on their jobs, they added. Adil Butt went on to saying that the establishment of Reconstruction Opportunity Zones (ROZs) in the areas bordering with Afghanistan is today only a far-off dream because that area is not endowed with inducing factors that would enable the establishment of industrial units there.
Reconstruction Opportunity Zones (ROZs) can be thought about only after complete settlement of security issues there. In the circumstances and the effects on Pakistan as a result of its engagements with USA and Western world while playing a dynamic role as front line ally, the whole country deserves to be declared as ROZ because this dying industry needs to be totally revamped and provided with favourable market opportunities.
Butt was of the view that material support to Pakistan in the shape of duty free market access be extended to Pakistan instead of eye wash arrangements through temporary financial aid. Shahzad said that Pakistan is cotton based country and promoting countries like Bangladesh and Sri Lanka by USA would strengthen these countries against Pakistan.
Similarly countries like Bhutan and Nepal when facilitated through this arrangement would open the door for India to illegally make use of this facility and throwing Pakistan aside in the international market. USA should, therefore, help Pakistan to stand on its feet by extending duty free entry status to our Textile products.