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A high-level business delegation from the Pakistan Textile exporters Association, led by Mr. Ahmed Kamal, called on Shri Kamal Nath, Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, here last evening and conveyed to him the desire of the Pakistan business community to forge closer ties with India in the field of textiles, especially in the context of phase-out of textile quotas under the multi-fibre arrangement (MFA) with effect from 1/1/2005.
The delegation said that Pakistan was not a competitor of India in the field of textiles as it was concentrating mainly on home furnishing whereas India had a more diverse range of product coverage, in particular readymade garments. They sought the Minister’s help in creating a hassle-free environment through customs facilitation measures to promote free movement of goods on the border and also for tariff concessions under South Asia Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA) for textile items from Pakistan. The delegation said that Pakistan in turn would be keen to import textile machinery, dyes & chemicals from India, which it was presently sourcing from elsewhere.
Shri Kamal Nath agreed with the delegation on the need for mutual cooperation among neighbouring countries to be able to compete effectively in the textile sector in the post-MFA regime. “Business communities on both sides have to be the drivers of partnership as this is the most effective way of promoting bilateral cooperation”, Shri Kamal Nath said.
During 2003-04, India’s exports to Pakistan were of the order of Rs. 1051.43 crore as compared to Rs. 997.73 crore in the previous year registering a growth of 31.97%. During 2003-04, Pakistan’s exports to India touched to Rs. 265.32 crore as against exports worth Rs. 217.05 crore effected in 2002-03. Major items of import from Pakistan were fruits and nuts excluding cashewnuts and pulses.
Earlier, Mr. Tim Holding, Minister for Manufacturing & Exports and Financial Services of the State Government of Victoria (Australia) called on Shri Kamal Nath and discussed with him the possibilities of enhancing trade cooperation.
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