ISLAMABAD, Nov 6: The government will soon hire lawyers to plead the case of Pakistan for getting access to the EU generalized system of preferences (GSP) plus- the scheme of duty on import.

This was disclosed by Federal Minister for Commerce Humayun Akhtar Khan in a meeting with a delegation of textile exporters representing all the sectors of textile industry here on Saturday.

An official announcement said that during the meeting various options were discussed by taking into consideration the new GSP plus scheme.

It was decided that fulsome lobbying would be undertaken by the government focussing at getting GSP plus for Pakistan and suspension of anti-dumping duty imposed by European Commission on Pakistan bedlinen.

The minister also informed the delegation that government was making all out efforts for getting more market access in United States by convincing the US government to lower their tariffs on Pakistani products.

Mr Khan during his recent visit to the United States met Peter Mandelson, Commissioner for Trade (designate) to the European Commission at New York.

The minister said that he explained and sensitized the future commissioner, who has taken over his new responsibilities from November 2004 about the critical importance of continued availability of the GSP concession for Pakistani exports particularly after the textile quotas phase out from January 1, 2005.

He emphasized the necessity and need for European Commission's understanding and proactive support to enable Pakistan to sustain their market share particularly for textiles.