KARACHI, Jan 25: Pakistan failed to muster sufficient support in last Friday's voting where majority of European Union (EU) member states cast their votes against the suspension of 13.1 per cent definitive anti-dumping duty imposed early last year on bed-linen.

Out of 25-member EU bloc, 13 voted against the suspension of duty and 11 were in favour of the suspension with Luxemburg, the current chairman, was not required to use his voting right as there was a clear result.

"It is another setback the country has faced on global trade front at a time when all quota barriers on textiles and clothing business of $350 billion have been removed and free market era begun," lamented a leading exporter of bed-linen. "We have been witnessing successive setbacks, and at each dip assurances were given by our negotiators which even today remained unfulfilled," he added.

In last voting the result was even better when EU's 15-member bloc ran into tie on seven votes each but after the chairman's vote, which traditionally goes in favour of the EU, Pakistan had to lose that opportunity as well.

But it is surprising that even after so much lobbying by high-ups of the Ministry of Commerce and numerous foreign trips by officials the results were even worst as larger EU members voted against the suspension of the duty.

Bed-linen exporters, contacted by Dawn, who were expecting good news, were found to be bitter. They felt that the issue has not been handled properly by the ministry.

"The government functionaries tend to repeat their mistakes. They somehow end up choosing most inappropriate time to visit European nations. This time again the high-ups of the MoC paid visits to European capitals at a time when the Western world was mostly close on account of Christmas and new year celebrations," said an exporter.

"Something is wrong somewhere in the MoC. Probably the team of the Commerce Minister is not up to the mark and is not equipped to deal with issues which are of international posture and need strong acumen about world trade," he added.

"The last Friday's voting is a glaring example where Pakistan could have grabbed the opportunity provided proper home work and skilful lobbying was made with opinion leaders at the EU states," he added.

It is surprising that since long the post of ambassador and permanent trade representative at Brussels are lying vacant at such a critical juncture. According to our sources in the industry a few years back there was good team at the Ministry of Commerce which produced good results and also played vital role in getting GSP and 15 per cent more market access from the EU states.

There was a time when EU offered to give around 50,000 to 60,000 tons quota free access to bed-linen imports from Pakistan and above that quantity nominal duty was to be imposed.

However, some exporters initially opposed the offer as there was no one who could foresee the developing scenario. However, later on when Pakistan expressed its desire to avail the offer the EU backed out.

Consequently, today the country is faced with a punitive duty along with 12 per cent customs duty on being graduated from the GSP scheme. Most bed-linen exporters felt that in the current environment it would be difficult for them to defend their existing market share and chances are remote that they would be able to expand their market share when they have to face around 25.1 per cent in duties.

Exporters felt that the time has come for the government to review its policy and evolve a better and more efficient team, which could work aggressively in close coordination of exporters.