The Hindu Business Line : Pak keen to forge closer ties in textiles

PAKISTAN's business community is keen to forge closer ties with India in the field of textiles, especially in the context of the phase-out of textile quotas under the multi-fibre arrangement (MFA) with effect from January 1.

This was conveyed to the Union Commerce Minister, Mr Kamal Nath, on Thursday evening by the visiting high-level business delegation from the Pakistan Textile Exporters' Association.

The delegation said that Pakistan was not a competitor to India in the field of textiles as it was concentrating mainly on home furnishing whereas India had a more diverse range of product coverage, particularly readymade garments.

The members of the delegation sought the Minister's help in creating a hassle-free environment through Customs facilitation measures to promote free movement of goods on the border and also for tariff concessions under the South Asian Free Trade Agreement for textile items from Pakistan.

The delegation also said that Pakistan would, in turn, be keen to import textile machinery, dyes and chemicals from India, which it was currently sourcing from elsewhere.

Mr Kamal Nath agreed with the delegation on the need for mutual co-operation among neighbouring countries to be able to compete effectively in the textile sector in the post-MFA regime.

"Business communities on both sides have to be the drivers of partnership as this is the most effective way of promoting bilateral co-operation," Mr Kamal Nath said.

During 2003-04, the country's exports to Pakistan stood at Rs 1,051.43 crore, against Rs 997.93 crore in the previous year. Pakistan's exports to India during 2003-04 stood at Rs 265.32 crore, against exports worth Rs 217.05 crore in 2002-03.

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