FAISALABAD, Dec 27: The government would bridge the credibility gap between private associations and public institutions to maintain the supremacy of Pakistani textiles in post-quota international markets.

This was stated by Abid Javed Akber, director general, textiles, Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) while addressing the members of the All Pakistan Cloth Exporters Association (APCEA) here on Saturday.

He said that engineering and automobile industry was performing well but being a cotton producing country, Textile would remain the mainstay of national economy.

Appreciating the hard work of textile exporters, the DG said that Pakistani textile products were available in every part of this world, which has become an identity of Pakistan. Underlining the contribution of fabrics and clothes in textile exports, he said “our products are known because of its low price; however, it may lose its competitive edge after phasing out of quotas in 2005.” In this connection, he mentioned social accountability and said that conditionality of environmental laws, labour and security matters in addition to other complicated international rules and regulations may pose a formidable challenge to the textile exporters.

Anti dumping duties will be yet another threat to Pakistani exporters in post-quota scenario and urged upon them to improve the quality of their products to earn more profit from the same markets. About anti dumping, he asked the APCEA to identity capable lawyers to seek their advice and guidance on anti dumping related issues.

He further said that the EPB has conducted studies with the assistance of World Bank to identify the future challenges; however, its solutions must come from the stakeholders.

Earlier APCEA Chief, Ahmed Kamal, in his address of welcome explained in detail the problems being confronted by the exporters.

He said that despite the biggest quota holding association, it had not been accorded due right for the formulation of textile quota policies.

He was critical of the delays in acceptance of their genuine demands and said that these are acceded to only when the facility allowed becomes redundant.