June 28, 2006	Wednesday	Jumadi-ul-Sani 1, 1427

KARACHI, June 27: Syria has lifted ban on the import of certain items of Pakistani interest, which were previously not allowed by Damascus. According to the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) sources the decision has been taken in response to Pakistan's pursuance to get market access in Syria.

Pakistan had pointed out to the Syrian authorities at the 5th session of Pak-Syria Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) held in Damascus last year that the import of certain items of Pakistani interest was not allowed by Syria.

The ministry of economy and trade of Syria lifted the restrictions allowing import of items that were of direct interest of the Pakistani manufacturers and exporters vide decision No 790 of May 2006.

The Syrian trade ministry has issued six lists, containing wide range of items which can be imported from Pakistan.

The list No 1 includes agriculture items like beans, rice in husk, barely sugar, water, mushroom, rice paper, live horses, mules and donkeys.

The list No 2 includes cosmetics, puff cream, soft powder, dry blusher, ultra cent, roll-on, sprays, lipstick, hair-sprays, liners, lip gloss, mascara, eye-shadow, eye-liner, hair-dye, hair-brush, etc.

The list No 3, has items like shaving soap, alkaline wash, PVC-made water pipes, dalton shields uterine contraceptive, plastic ropes, cordage, lightening devices of colour lamps, rubber seals for automobile windows and doors, branded garments and accessories, railings, wall papers.The list No 4 includes special fabrics like branded textile, soft fluffy wool prepared for Arab gowns, all kinds of tags, postal cards, nickel made calendars, blankets, etc.

The list No 5 has items such as goods covers, sheets, frames, glass for mirrors, water tanks and containers, bars and rods, machines and gadgets, safes with fire proof doors, refrigerators for ice cream shops.

The list No 6 includes washing or cleaning appliances, shaping moulds of plastics, fishing boats, vacuum cleaners, plastic based paintings and pictures, wood base paintings and pictures.

In addition, Syrian government has also liberalised import of garments and related accessories, footwear, head scarf, perfumes, leather wear and leather bags, cotton fabrics, velvet fabrics, poplin fabrics. —APP