ISLAMABAD, Feb 3: Pakistan has asked the European Union to send a review mission to examine samples of eight textile mills to finalize the antidumping duty of 13.1 per cent on bedlinen.

Talking to reporters at the conclusion of a seminar on "WTO and Pakistan: 2005 and beyond", Textile Minister Mushtaq Ali Cheema said Pakistan had sent a reminder to the EU for sending a team to review the antidumping duty on bedlinen.

The seminar was organized by the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) here on Thursday. The minister disclosed that the EU team was earlier due to arrive here on February 1 to start the investigation of samples of the textile mills to determine the actual quantum of the alleged dumping.

He said that due to certain reasons the EU again cancelled the tour of review mission to Pakistan. "We have send a reminder to the EU on the issue. We are hoping that the mission would soon visit Pakistan," the minister stated.

In reply to a question, Mr Cheema said the EU had linked the suspension of antidumping duty to the signing of readmission agreement with Pakistan. The minister said that Pakistan had already constituted two inter-ministerial committees.

The committees would furnish recommendations for making changes in labour laws and revamping the ginning industry. He said the local ginning industry was outdated and only 83-85 per cent raw cotton was ginned.

The revamping of this sector, he said, would help in improving the efficiency of textile products in the short-term. The minister said that Pakistan was ready to face the challenges of the quota-free regime.

He said the private sector would be encouraged to enhance production to meet the international demand in the quota-free regime. Mr Cheema said the US would be a potential market for Pakistani textile products. He was hopeful that Pakistan would get market access to the EU GSP plus scheme.