Page 23 - August-September-2017

22 Fibre Auxiliaries | Pretreatment | Dyeing | Colours | Textile Printing | Finishing | Coating | GARMENT

UK is Pakistan’s biggest trade part-

ner with trading up to 2.08 bln

Euros in 2016

In a statement while meeting with British High Commis- promoting bilateral trade,” Pervaiz Malik added. He
sioner to Pakistan Thomas Drew and the Minister of further said that the UK has remained a great
Commerce, Mohammad Pervaiz Malik said that the supporter and trading partner to the Pakistani
United Kingdom (UK) is Pakistan’s biggest trade products in the EU. He also linked this support to the
partner in Europe with bilateral trade amounting to 2.08 inclusion of Pakistan in the EU’s GSP+ Scheme in
bn Euros in 2016. Bilateral trade between Pakistan and 2014 and then for a successful review in 2016 by the
UK has increased from 1.5 bn Euros in 2013 to 2.08 bn EU Parliament.
Euros in 2016 that represents an increase of 39%.
Mohammad Pervaiz Malik said that it is a matter of “Pakistan appreciates the government of UK’s
satisfaction for both sides that bilateral trade has been decision to maintain the enhanced level of market
increasing over a period of time. access available to Pakistan in EU under its GSP+
Scheme after formal exit from the EU”, the minister
“Pakistan’s inclusion in EU’s “Special Incentive added. Pakistan’s exports to UK reached 1.3 billion
Arrangement for good governance and sustainable euros while imports from UK were 756 million Euros,
development” has been the major catalyst for he added

PRGMEA for revision of textile policy

Ijaz Khokhar, the Central Chairman Pakistan sector is facing a limited product line for the export
Readymade Garments Manufacturers and Exporters market. "Our value added products are unable to
Association (PRGMEA) said that the preparation of fetch high value due to poor packaging and under
sector wise policies is the only helpful solution to the circumstances there is need of setting up a
escape continuous decline and alleviate textile product and packaging centre for ensuring better
exports in Pakistan. packaging", he added.

The chairman of PRGMEA said that; "We are He said that at present there are about 125 exporters
pressing government to review its Textile Policy to of martial art apparent in Sialkot and the city was
enable textile sector attain the targets" proceeding his earning about 400 million USD. The efforts were in
discussion he also added that the government must the pipeline for bringing a boost in the exports for
take steps to eliminate the hurdles in stabilization of about 1billion USD by the year 2020, he added.
textile exports in Pakistan. "We understand that However the Research and Development was weak
formulation of sector wise policies is the only because of the high costs of utility and allied factors,
remedial solution to avoid decline and to stabilize the said the Chairman PREGMA, under these
exports", he repeated. circumstances the government must need to
announce special R&D support fund for innovation
Ijaz also said that because of the lack of availability of and development of new products and the up
the latest fabric in the local market, the garment gradation of the work places in textile industry.
August/September 2017