ISLAMABAD, Jan 10: Secretary Commerce, Kamal Afsar is currently leading a high-level delegation to EU member countries to lobby against the imposition of anti-dumping duty on Pakistani bedlinen by the European Commission.

According to an official announcement issued on Saturday, the secretary is accompanied by Vice Chairman, EPB, Tariq Iqbal Puri, and ambassador of Pakistan to WTO, Dr. Manzoor Ahmed whereas Farooq Sumar from Muhammad Farooq Textile Mills, Bashir Ali Muhammad from Gul Ahmad and Mian Lateef from Chen One are representing the exporters' side.

The delegation will put in their all out efforts to lobby the EU countries in favour of Pakistan to avoid anti-dumping duty on bedlinen.

Bedlinen is a major commodity of export from Pakistan to the EU member countries. In the recent past the volume of these exports has substantially increased from US$230 million in 2001 to US$345 million in 2003.

In view of the critical importance of the matter in the context of Pakistan's exports, the delegation is visiting some capitals of the EU countries from January 7-16 to effectively present Pakistan's case to gain support from a majority of EU member states.

The delegation has so far visited London, Germany and Austria and is scheduled to visit France, Spain, Italy and Brussels by January 16.