KARACHI, Feb 19: Strong resentment is being expressed by the textile sector over the US economic package, as, according to them, it carries no benefit for trade and industry as a whole and exports in particular.

The chairman Aptma (Sindh-Balochistan zone) Mushtaq Ahmed Vohra said that Pakistan’s total share in huge US market is of around one per cent and any marginal increase in market access means a lot for Pakistan but is of no significance to the US manufacturers.

Above all, he said, cheap textile products from Pakistan could not be a threat to the US industry, which produces high quality textiles products because of technological advantage and long staple US cotton.

When a recession is going on in the US it is of a more advantage for a common US consumer to get cheap textile products from Pakistan. He said that both the sides should re-negotiate the package on the basis of mutual benefit and ground realities.

The vice chairman, Towel Manufacturer’s Association of Pakistan (TMAP), S. M. A. Rizvi said exporters were expecting a quantum increase in US market share or at least to a level of 1980s, but this time we have been badly treated not only by the Commerce Department of the US but its State Department as well.

He expressed the hope that the US government will reconsider its decision and provide us at least 50 per cent across the board increase in all textile quotas categories. He said, “we were also given an understanding that the tariff on textile imports will be removed or reduced but that has also not happened.”

The chairman, Pakistan Bedwear Exporters’ Association (PBEA), Shabir Ahmed said, “we totally reject the US package which does not offer any benefit to bedlinen exports.” He said bedlinen exports from other countries to US market are quota free but there is a restriction (quota) on imports from Pakistan.

The chairman, Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers’ Association (PHMA), said the 8 per cent swing or shift in slow moving categories by no means could be termed as an economic package. He said industry and exporters reject this offer which is not workable.

He said a small increase in quota means a lot to our country as it will help generate employment and result in higher exports.