KARACHI, Oct 19: The textile quota growth would be higher than the actual increase of 15 per cent in next three years as agreed by the European Union (EU) three days ago.

This was stated by Secretary Commerce Mirza Qamar Baig while talking to APP. He said the quota of category 20 (bed linen) was estimated to register the highest growth of 61.4 per cent among all categories in next three years to EU.

Giving the quota projections, he said, the quantity of bed linen will increase from 36,349 tons in 2001 to 58,680 tons in 2004. The global free trade regime of WTO is effective from the year 2004.

Five categories including Cat 26, 28, 9, 7 and 2a would grow at a rate of 57.4 per cent in the review period. Trousers, bib and brace overall would increase from 81.283 million pieces in 2001 to 128.009 million pieces in 2004.

Dresses quota would increase from 22.491 million pieces in 2001 to 35.420 million pieces in 2004.

Terry towel would go up from 9,493 tons in 2001 to 14,951 tons in 2004, while blouses would surge from 22.981 million pieces in 2001 to 36.192 million pieces in 2004.

Fabrics other than bleached or unbleached would rise from 11,709 tons in 2001 to 18,440 tons in 2004.

Category 5 (knitted jerseys) would grow by 56.8 per cent to 14.711 million pieces.

Similarly, three categories including Cat 39, 6 and 4 would grow by 49.7 per cent during the projection period.

The quota for table, toilet and kitchen linen would rise from 13,385 tons in 2001 to 20,048 tons in 2004 while shorts and trousers would increase from 35.831 million pieces to 53.667 million pieces.

The quota for knitted shirts would increase from 33.256 million pieces in 2001 to 49.811 million pieces in 2004.

The quota for blended fabrics (Cat 3) is expected to grow by 42.3 per cent, rising from 58,339 tons in 2001 to 83,034 tons in 2004.

The quota for category 8 (shirts) would grow from 6,168 million pieces to 8,336 million pieces, showing a rise of 35.1 per cent.

Similarly, quota for categories 1 (cotton yarn) and 2 (cotton fabrics) would grow by 31.6 per cent in next three years.—APP