The Embassy of Pakistan in Ankara has approached Turkish high-ups, seeking duty exemptions for textile exports from Pakistan in the proposed safeguard measures, according to Ambassador Sardar Tariq Azizuddin.
Addressing a business delegation, led by Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) President Muhammad Saeed Shafiq, at the Pakistan Embassy in Ankara, Azizuddin told the delegation that in order to provide a level-playing field, the Turkish government was considering increasing customs tariff for Pakistan and other regional countries, but assured that the Pakistan Embassy was taking measures to win exemptions.
According to a press release issued by KCCI, the ambassador said that Pakistan’s textile exports to Turkey, which stood at $237 million, were feared to decline if the proposed safeguard measures were put in place.
The Turkish government was under pressure from the domestic industry which was seeking imposition of safeguard measures for safety and security because it was performing below par and workers were being laid off.
He said that the Trade Development Authority chief executive met with the Turkish Foreign Trade Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Ali Baba Jan to demand exemptions, but had yet to receive any satisfactory response.
In October 2009 during a Joint Economic Commission meeting held in Pakistan, both governments had decided that the two-way trade volume of $782 million would be enhanced to $2 billion in the future.
KCCI President Muhammad Saeed Shafiq pointed out that Pakistan’s economy was wounded and was facing several problems which were impeding the pace of industrial and commercial activities. He said that KCCI never believed in aid but wanted trade to promote national economy. “Pakistan is in dire need of market access to Turkey and European Union,” he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 16th, 2011.
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