ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has asked a visiting delegation of the European Commission (EC) to examine permanent market access for Islamabad under the GSP-plus scheme for a win-win situation for both sides.

In the third meeting of the EC with Pakistan’s sub-trade group, Islamabad urged the Commission to consider its request for neutralising the adverse impact of the market access provided to the countries of South Asia such as Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, revealed agreed minutes of the meeting, held in Islamabad recently, available with The News.

Pakistan also informed the delegation that it has signed 27 conventions relating to human rights, good governance and sustainable development while three are under the process of ratification and implementation. Pakistan said its exports to the EU region were less than one per cent, which qualified it for the GSP-plus scheme.

Taking note of Pakistan’s concerns, the EC team asked it to file an application for the GSP-plus scheme for examination before the date of entry for the new GSP regulation in Jan 2009.

Pakistan also expressed concern that the proposed softening of EC’s preferential Rules of Origin for textile and garments may encourage shifting of the value-added industry to Least Developed Countries (LDCs), due to their duty-free access to the EU market.

Regarding anti-dumping duty on bed-linen import, Pakistan requested for suspension or withdrawal of the duty and assurance that it would not be re-imposed. The EC notified that they would follow all WTO obligations.

To comply with EC standards, the commission made it clear that the re-listing of Pakistani seafood exporters will be initiated if corrective measures as per the EC guidelines are taken, and that the commission’s inspection is a must for Pakistan’s re-entry into the EU market.

Briefing on rice and its registration as geographical indication (GI) under TMO, 2001, Pakistani officials requested the visiting delegates for correcting the list of Basmati varieties mentioned in the EU regulation as the commercial property of Pakistan only.

About export tax on raw hides and skins and wet blue, Pakistani officials told the EC that the duty has been imposed to ensure adequate supply of raw material to the value-added domestic industry. The domestic industry is demanding a complete ban on the export of raw skins and hides as it is not helpful in discouraging exports.

The EC team informed their Pakistani counterparts that they are studying to assess the impact of trade policies on Pakistan’s preferential access to the EU market and it is expected to be completed in the autumn of 2008.

The EC also requested Pakistan to co-sponsor the joint EC-US-Sri Lanka Non-Tariff Barrier (NTB) proposal on textile labeling, address the issue of export taxes and emphasised the importance of protecting GIs.

Shahid Bashir, Senior Joint Secretary of Ministry of Commerce headed the Pakistani side, whereas Jan De Kok, head of EC delegates, Islamabad, represented the EU side at the two-day negotiations.

5/20/2008

Source: www.thenews.com.pk