EU approached over anti-dumping duty on bed linen

Pakistan has approached the European Union to review its decision regarding imposition of anti-dumping duty on bed linen.
Commerce Secretary Kamal Afsar told newsmen here on Saturday that the commerce minister has written a letter to EU Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamey on the issue of levy of 13.1 percent duty on Pakistani bed linen from Friday (March 5).
The secretary said the decision was unjust as duty has been imposed on the basis of incomplete verification by the EU team.
The investigators left the country on the pretext of security threats but later another EU investigating team visited Pakistan and completed verification on the issue of anti-dumping of plastic.
He said except automobile, Pakistan is fully compliant with the Trade Related Intellectual Property requirements but has sought exemption from deletion programme up to 2006.
Replying to questions, he said Iran has offered joint ventures in auto spare parts, turbines and power and telecommunication sectors.
Iran has also allowed its private sector to import rice from Pakistan from 20th of this month. It will reduce duties on Pakistani textiles from the existing 80 to 40 percent.
Tehran has agreed to import those fruits and vegetables from Pakistan which are being exported to developed countries.
To a question about granting Most Favoured Nation status to India, the secretary said according to the independent analysis India has the most restrictive trade regime while Pakistan has the most liberal one.
He said India should remove non-tariff barriers and provide level-playing field for such an arrangement.
The secretary informed newsmen that Pakistan's exports increased by 13.8 percent during first eight months of the current financial year as compared to same period last year.
According to the latest figures, exports stood at 7877.5 million dollars during this period as against 6920.4 million dollars corresponding period last year.
This is 65 percent of the total export target, which is likely to be exceeded.
Imports also increased by 17.2 percent during the period. The increase is attributed to import of machinery and non-food and non-oil items reflecting increased economic activity.
Trade deficit during the period increased to 1216.3 million dollars as against 838.9 million dollars last year, registering an increase of 45 percent.
Meanwhile, in February this year exports grew by 16.2 percent and imports by 24.5 percent as compared to February last year.