Lacklustre exports to EU worries textile sector
New Delhi: A worried and upset textile sector has asked the Indian government to let the European Commission know its concern at the 'less-than-normal growth' in its exports to the European Union (EU) in comparison to the Pakistani textile industry. The government may convey this message while replying to the queries posed by a World Trade Organisation (WTO) panel in the dispute regarding duty-free access treatment conceded to Pakistan under the drug window of the EU's generalised system of preferences (GSP) scheme since 1 January 2002.

The panel had held its second oral hearing of both Brussels and New Delhi in the dispute on 8 and 9 July in Geneva under WTO auspices. Reports say that the utilisation of all quota items by Pakistan was 76 per cent in 1995, 79 per cent in 1996, 71 per cent in 1997, 69 per cent in 1998, 64 per cent in 1999, 62 per cent in 00, 60 per cent in 2001 and 62 per cent in 2002.
Back to News Review index page