KARACHI, Nov 13: Dr Marco Pintus, trade commissioner of Italy, has assured to plead Pakistan’s case for having duty-free access to European Union market to ensure job opportunities to youth.

Speaking at a luncheon meeting, organised by the Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers Association (PHMA) on Tuesday, the Italian trade commissioner said he would forward his recommendations for allowing duty-free access to Pakistani textile goods to the EU market.

He also assured full assistance to Pakistani exporters who are keen to open their offices in Italy and added that visa facility to businessmen would continue as in the past.

Dr Marco said on the recommendations of the PHMA, his office issues visas to businessmen within 15 days and this would continue without any failure.

He asked the PHMA members to attend the forthcoming seminar and workshop being arranged by the Italian trade commissioner.

He also suggested to the manufacturers using Italian machinery in their units, to attend the seminar as leading Italian companies are going will attend the event being held in the last week of this month.

The Italian trade commissioner also advised the businessmen to interact with their Italian counterparts during the workshop and look into possibilities of join venture and relocation of units.

Earlier, in his address of welcome PHMA chairman Naqi Bari asked that EU to revive or restore duty-free access to Pakistani textile products which was allowed immediately after the incident of 9/11.

He said Pakistan today needs more attention from European Union than ever before as it was fighting a war against terrorism and this could not alone be won by use of force but also needs some economic measures.

Mr Bari said Pakistani exports of knitted apparels have become uncompetitive in EU market without getting the advantage of duty free access, thereby causing closure of units.

This he said had resulted in loss of jobs to hundreds of thousands of workers.

If allowed duty free access, he said it would greatly help Pakistan generate employment.

He assured Dr Marco of PHMA’s full support towards forthcoming seminar and workshop.