ISLAMABAD, Jan 12: Commerce Minister Hamayun Akhtar Khan has said that the European Commission has demanded of Pakistan to reduce duties on cars which the 15-member bloc considers “very high”.

Pakistan has received a demand from the EU Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy to this effect, the minister told a press conference here on Sunday after his visit to Brussels, the EU headquarters.

“But we have not yet made any commitment in this regard,” the minister hastened to add.

During the talks, he said he exhorted the EU trade officials to keep alive the spirit of Doha conference by exercising restraint on anti-dumping and chain proceedings/investigations against the developing countries.

He said the government was looking beyond 2005 when the quota system would have been done away with and the Pakistani exporters will have to compete with other players in the open international market.

“Enhancing exports and achieving higher growth rate for the economy are the top priorities of the government,” the commerce minister said.

“I have informed the exporters that my talks with the EU trade commissioner concerning anti-dumping duties, quota management and embargoes have been very encouraging,” he said.

The minister said the government and the private sector must make joint efforts to ensure that Pakistan got its due share in the international market in a fiercely competitive environment.

He termed his visit to the EU headquarters “fruitful” and said this would further enhance the trade relations between Pakistan and the 15-member grouping.

He recalled that in the year 2001, the EU had enhanced Pakistan quota by 15 per cent besides treating zero-rated tariffs on many items, except yarn and grey cloth.

He said he also discussed some WTO matters with the top EU officials.

During the talks, he said he focused on two main topics: anti-dumping duties and 4,000 tones exceptional flexibility quota for Pakistan.

Hamayun Akhtar said he also spent a whole day in Frankfurt and attended the Heimtextil household goods fair.

He added that he was delighted to know that a large number of visitors and customers showed keen interest in the EPB stalls and praised the quality of Pakistani items.

In continental Europe, Germany offers a big market for Pakistani products after the United Kingdom, he said.

He told newsmen that his visit to the United States had been delayed as the government was sending Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri to Washington to discuss the current immigration issue with the US authorities.

“I and Advisor to the Prime Minister on Finance and Economic Affairs, Shaukat Aziz, will be visiting Davos on Jan 23 to attend the World Finance and Economic Ministers Forum there”.

He said he will also be proceeding to the UK later this month to discuss trade and commerce with officials there. —APP