September 20, 2003	Saturday	Rajab 22, 1424

FAISALABAD, Sept 19: All-Pakistan Cloth Exporters Association (APCEA) has warned that if the advantage enjoyed by Pakistani bed linen exporters was lost to India, it would become extremely difficult to sustain the present growth rate of exports, which is very vital for the economy at this crucial juncture and economic turnaround stage.

Giving his reaction to India’s filing of case at WTO Appellate Body seeking preferential treatment under EU generalized system of preferences (GSP), APCEA Chief, Khurram Iftikhar, in a statement said the concession was not only granted to Pakistan but it was also allowed to Central and South American countries.

Secondly the concession, allowed to Pakistan and other countries, was in return of their fight against drugs and narcotics. The amount generated through the concession was being utilized for fight against the international menace. the exports

He said that Pakistani officials in Geneva should take up this stance with the WTO authorities and plead this case effectively.

He said that the bed linen exporters demanded of the Ministry of Commerce to actively pursue and safeguard the interests of country’s textile exports to European Union. Pakistani exports were going through take-off stage and to maintain the tempo and momentum of the growth was absolutely necessary.