Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz told major US
retailers and importers today that his country has taken a number of
steps to boost the competitiveness of its textile and apparel goods.
These measures aim to increase production quality and quantity,
encourage foreign investment, and improve shipment speed and security.
Aziz spoke at an event hosted by international trade law firm Sandler,
Travis & Rosenberg, P.A. at the Princeton Club of New York. Other
Pakistani officials in attendance included Ambassador to the US
Jehangir Karamat, Minister of Textiles Mushtaq Ali Cheema, Minister of
State Tariq Ikram, Minister for Privatization Dr. Abdul Hafeez Sheikh,
and Commerce Secretary Syed Asif Shah.
According to Aziz, Pakistan has seen substantial declines in several of its traditional areas of export to the United States as a result of the elimination of the World Trade Organization quota system last year. Shipments of manmade fiber trousers, knit shirts, and dressing gowns and robes, among many other categories, have decreased by as much as 72%. This trend has great socioeconomic significance for Pakistan, where the textile and apparel sector employs 35-40% of all manufacturing labor and accounts for 9% of total gross domestic product (GDP).
In light of these circumstances, Aziz said, Pakistan has embarked on a wide-ranging initiative to increase its attractiveness to foreign investors. It is ramping up production capacity; improving the quality and reliability of communications, energy, and other vital services; and making it easier to conduct financial transactions. Programs are underway to not only expedite shipments - including upgrading railroads, highways, and port facilities and accelerating customs clearance - but to make them more transparent and secure as well. The government is also tightening intellectual property rights (IPR) protections and bringing worker rights more in line with international standards.
Industry experts say that while these measures illustrate Pakistan's strong commitment to its textile and apparel sector, they may not be enough to ensure that the country's exports remain internationally competitive. "Pakistan has done all it can to take advantage of today's global environment," said Nicole Bivens Collinson, Vice-President of Trade Negotiations and Legislative Affairs at ST&R, who moderated Thursday's event. "Companies have made new large-scale investments, and the government has eased restrictions on obtaining capital and raw materials. But Pakistani factories still face tough competition from countries like India and China, which will only increase in the years ahead. Pakistan is therefore looking to work closely with the United States to enhance trade between our two countries and promote the diversification of Pakistan's exports."
About Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg
Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A. (ST&R) is an international trade and customs law firm concentrating in assisting clients with the movement of goods, personnel, and ideas across international borders. The firm has offices in Washington, D.C., Miami, New York, Chicago, Baltimore, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. In addition, through its affiliated consulting company, Sandler & Travis Trade Advisory Services (STTAS), the firm services clients through offices located in Detroit, Ottawa, Phoenix, and Sao Paulo. For more information about ST&R, please visit our website: http://www.strtrade.com.
According to Aziz, Pakistan has seen substantial declines in several of its traditional areas of export to the United States as a result of the elimination of the World Trade Organization quota system last year. Shipments of manmade fiber trousers, knit shirts, and dressing gowns and robes, among many other categories, have decreased by as much as 72%. This trend has great socioeconomic significance for Pakistan, where the textile and apparel sector employs 35-40% of all manufacturing labor and accounts for 9% of total gross domestic product (GDP).
In light of these circumstances, Aziz said, Pakistan has embarked on a wide-ranging initiative to increase its attractiveness to foreign investors. It is ramping up production capacity; improving the quality and reliability of communications, energy, and other vital services; and making it easier to conduct financial transactions. Programs are underway to not only expedite shipments - including upgrading railroads, highways, and port facilities and accelerating customs clearance - but to make them more transparent and secure as well. The government is also tightening intellectual property rights (IPR) protections and bringing worker rights more in line with international standards.
Industry experts say that while these measures illustrate Pakistan's strong commitment to its textile and apparel sector, they may not be enough to ensure that the country's exports remain internationally competitive. "Pakistan has done all it can to take advantage of today's global environment," said Nicole Bivens Collinson, Vice-President of Trade Negotiations and Legislative Affairs at ST&R, who moderated Thursday's event. "Companies have made new large-scale investments, and the government has eased restrictions on obtaining capital and raw materials. But Pakistani factories still face tough competition from countries like India and China, which will only increase in the years ahead. Pakistan is therefore looking to work closely with the United States to enhance trade between our two countries and promote the diversification of Pakistan's exports."
About Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg
Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A. (ST&R) is an international trade and customs law firm concentrating in assisting clients with the movement of goods, personnel, and ideas across international borders. The firm has offices in Washington, D.C., Miami, New York, Chicago, Baltimore, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. In addition, through its affiliated consulting company, Sandler & Travis Trade Advisory Services (STTAS), the firm services clients through offices located in Detroit, Ottawa, Phoenix, and Sao Paulo. For more information about ST&R, please visit our website: http://www.strtrade.com.