October 2, 2003	Thursday	Sha’aban 5, 1424

KARACHI, Oct 1: Minister of State and Chairman Export Promotion Bureau Tariq Ikram on Wednesday said that the country’s textile and garment exports were expected to increase in the post-quota era.

He observed that all those categories of high utilization would register growth in exports, while low utilization categories might not lose anything in the quota-free global market beginning from January 1, 2005.

Consequently, Mr Tariq said there was a great possibility that Pakistan would gain and capture more markets in the quota-free era as it was producing high quality textile products and ensured prompt supply owing to indigenous raw cotton.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of textile and garment trade show — INSTYLE Pakistan 2003 — at the Karachi Expo Centre, the EPB chairman said the export of textile products held a vital role and offered a vast scope for entrepreneurs in the industry. He stressed the need for extending the political boundaries for the sake of increase in economic boundaries so that overall economy of the country might benefit.

The state minister was optimistic about the post-quota era and said the country was better placed compared to other regional countries in social compliance as well as environmental management. The fact, he said, was also well recognized by world’s leading buyers of textile and garments.

Similarly, he said waste water schemes and treatment of industrial waste under the new Trade Policy were areas where the government was focussing at the moment. “Such measures would go a long way in helping our industry maintain their market share in the quota-free era.”

Mr Tariq further said that schemes of technological upgradation, textile cities and freight subsidies could also assist textile exports to face the WTO regime challenges. Despite the global depression in trade after the recent geo-political disruption, the country’s exports have show a consistent rise marking 21 per cent growth, he said.