KARACHI, Nov 22: Shipments made under EU’s Autonomous Trade Preferences (ATP), effective from Nov 15, are stuck up at various ports of entry for want of certificates of origin. The representative bodies of exporters have lodged complaints with Ministry of Commerce that the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) was not issuing certificates because no proper arrangement has been made to meet this condition.

The tariff concessions given by the EU on 75 items came into operation from Nov 15 but due to lack of home work by the TDAP, issuance of certificates of origin could not be made.

Towel Manufacturers Association chairman Mehtabuddin Chawla in a letter to Ministry of Commerce raised the issue and stated that exporters are perturbed over lack of interest being shown by the TDAP and urged the ministry to look into the matter.

Rafiq Godial, chairman, Pakistan Knitwear and Sweater Exporters Association, said that the hard work done by the Ministry of Commerce, WTO wing at Brussels and concerned EU consulates in getting duty-free access under ATP is being washed away by non-serious attitude of the TDAP.

He said that the association members made their air shipments in accordance with EU notification of Oct 25 but TDAP could not streamline its working for issuance of certificates of origin without which no shipment would be cleared at the port of entry.

Further delays in issuance of certificate of origin, Mr Godial said, would result in huge demurrage on their shipments at EU ports and may even fail to timely reach shelves for the upcoming Christmas and New Year celebrations.