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Dawood assures

incentives to

exporters of

non-quota items

FRANKFURT: Commerce Minister Abdul Razak Dawood said on Saturday that the government would give incentives and facilities to the exporters of non-quota items to non-quota countries.

He was talking to newsmen here at Heimtextil fair. Pakistani Ambassador Gul Hanif and Joint Secretary (Textiles), Commerce and newly-appointed chairman, Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) were also present on the occasion.

"They will get financing facilities at home, subsidised participation at various tarde fairs and other facilities," the minister said.

He said Pakistan had to increase the number of handlooms to boost export of this item. "There is a vast potential in this product. I will visit Multan to convince the people to install more handlooms," he maintained.

He said Pakistan would participate in Heimtextil Miami, USA and Latin America shows.

To a question about the short range of variety in textile items, the minister said EPB would spend more money on the display and presentation of products at Heimtextil next year.

He said neighbouring India had lot of varieties and Pakistan should also pay more attention to increase the range of variety in coming years to compete with India and China.

"I will invite Pakistani textile exporters on my return and convince them to produce more non-quota items to boost export," Razak said.

He said German designers would be hired to change the look of Pakistani stalls at Heimtextil and make them more attractive. Razak said that he had requested messe Frankfurt to extend help to Pakistan in improving its exhibition facilities at the newly-constructed complex.

The minister said he would hold meeting with the growers, ginners, spinners and weavers, banks and officials to discuss a long-term textile policy for the country.

To a question, the minister replied under no circumstances, he would succumb to any pressure from Aptma.

Regarding the demand from exporters of textile items to withdraw export finance facilities on yarn export, the minister said he was totally against this facility. "I am against the export finance facility on yarn exports," he categorically said.

Referring to his meeting with Pakistani commercial officers in European countries, he said there was lack of coordination between these officers, Ministry of Commerce and the EPB.

"I think the quantum of negative elements is larger than the positive features. Unless problems are minimised, they would not be able to deliver goods," he observed.

He said ambassadors and commercial officers with economic background would be posted at those countries other than the USA, China, India, Russia and UK where Pakistani exports have to be promoted. These include European countries and New Zealand, Australia, he added.

He also called for participation at this fair with the latest trends and advised exhibitors to learn the expertise vailable at Heimtextil from all over the world. About 3,000 exhibitors from 65 countries and displaying state-of-the-art products at the fair.

A large contingent of 126 exhibitors are participating from Pakistan while 273 competitors from India and 109 from China are also participating at the show.

With over 37 product groups including kitchen textile, bathroom textile, home accessories, decorative fabrics, wallpapers and wall covering, carpeting, bedding, filling, terry products, furniture fabrics and leather, textile handicrafts, design studios, printing systems, home engineering, this exhibition provide a wide and lucrative opportunities to sale their products.

Addressing a press conference here on Friday, Messe Frankfurt Managing Director Michael Peters said that he could provide expertise to Pakistani exhibitors in improving the display of their products at Heimtextil.

To a question, he said due to lack of infrastructure, Messe Frankfurt could not hold Heimtextil fair in Pakistan.ÑAPP