March 8, 2003	Saturday	Muharram 4, 1424

ISLAMABAD, March 7: The National Assembly was informed on Friday that US has offered a $143 million market access to Pakistani businessmen in 12 items under Textile Apparel Market Access Package in 2002.

However the Pakistani exporters could not fully benefit from this opportunity, said minister for Commerce Humayun Akhtar Khan in a written reply.

He said that the net increment in export during January to December 2002 in these categories was around $21 million to $23 million.

To another question about minimizing imports, the minister said that in view of a liberalized trade regime and in line with international commitments under WTO, Pakistan continue to liberalize imports and the thrust was for import management rather than import reduction as the increase in the volume of trade (imports and exports) demonstrates enhanced economic activity in the country.