KARACHI, April 28: The European Union (EU) is likely to release the exceptional flexibility quota of 4000 tons not allocated in the year 2002, for towels (category 9).

A strong delegation of private exporters is on its way to join the official delegation which has already reached Brussels to negotiate the release of the exceptional flexibility quota.

Preliminary discussions and formal request had already been made with the EU for early release of 4000 tons of extra quota not allowed in the year 2002.

The Towel Manufacturers’ Association of Pakistan (TMA) is hopeful of getting the quota by middle of next month.

The acting chairman of TMA, M. Muzammil Hussain, has advised his members not to get panicky because after the release of exceptional flexibility quota, there will plenty of extra quota available in EU category 9 for their utilization this year.

He also advised exporters to reschedule their shipment programmes in a manner that the consignments, which are to be made in the months of May and June 2003, may be shipped from July 2003 onward.