April 04, 2008	Friday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 26, 1429

LAHORE, April 3: The Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers Association (PHMA) has criticised the Trade and Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) for ‘creating hurdles’ in the smooth flow of exports.

Terming the entity a ‘white elephant’, PHMA chairman Shahzad Azam Khan said in a statement on Thursday that the trade policy initiatives were referred to TDAP for implementation but were never given a serious thought by the organisation.

Mr Khan added that the TDAP was overstaffed, and its executives did not know international trade norms and practices. Highly paid marketing consultants have been hired, who were never found working in the field.

The PHMA chief said that although the knitwear sector accounted for 11 per cent in total export earnings, the contribution of TDAP was ‘negligible’ as it was not accustomed to consulting trade organisations in policy matters.