06 March 2005	Sunday	24 Muharram 1426

ISLAMABAD, March 5: The United States has agreed to give concessions in import duty on around 50 more Pakistani products under the generalised system of preference (GSP).

Well-placed sources told Dawn on Saturday that the US has, however, declined the Pakistani demand for inclusion of textile products in the GSP scheme in a similar fashion it has given to other countries.

According to the sources, the US has offered concession on more Pakistani goods which would include mostly sports goods, cutlery products, surgical instruments, etc.

The sources said that commerce ministry would finalize the list in consultation with the stakeholders, which would be sent to the office of United States trade representatives for inclusion in the GSP plus list.

According to the sources, the reduction in duty would increase exports of other products to the US markets in the years ahead.

The US has recently allowed duty concession on 14 Pakistani products groups under the GSP scheme, which was withdrawn in 1999 due to certain objections of US government regarding labour practices in Pakistan.