KARACHI, April 25: Textile Minister Mushtaq Ali Cheema said here on Monday that the government would make all-out efforts to encourage value-addition in the textile industry in order to gain wider access to the international market. Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the fourth International Garment and Leather Machinery and Accessories Exhibition at the Karachi Expo Centre, the minister said the country had invested over $4 billion in textile machinery during the last three years.

More than 130 garment processing machinery manufacturers representing 23 countries are participating in the exhibition.

Mr Cheema said that as a result of encouraging policies of the government there was a consistent growth in the textile industry — the single largest contributor in exports and employment in the country.

APP adds: Talking to reporters after the inauguration, the textile minister pointed out that Pakistan had secured the support of most European nations for obtaining zero-rated GSP plus status for its textiles and negotiations with remaining three states, including France and Belgium, were going on.

He said that it would take some time and involved many a modalities and a long consultation process among the 25-member European Union. He expressed the hope that Pakistan would soon get the GSP plus status.

“Our fight is on at every level and we are trying to convince the EU that Pakistan has played a crucial role in combating terrorism and extremism at local and international levels and we should be compensated by grating the GSP plus status,” he said.

Mr Cheema said that GSP plus should include a clause for supporting those countries who fought war against terrorism and extremism. “This will not only foster growth of Pakistani textile industry, but also generate jobs for youth,” he observed.

In reply to a question about anti-dumping duties on Pakistan bedlinen, the minister said that efforts were made at all levels for the lifting of this duty. “The president and the prime minister were also using their influence in this regard.”

About the quota-free regime, the minister said the garment export had witnessed a slight decrease in the last four months after the end of textile quota, but hoped that this trend would be corrected with the support of government’s measures. He said the government had announced a six per cent rebate for the garment sector and this would help the industry improve its share in the exports.