Pakistan Suggested That The US Delegation Consider Tariff Free Access To The US Market.

The delegation was composed of the office of the president of the United States, the South Asia expert of the office of the United States trade representative and an official of the US embassy. The delegation met with Pakistan textile merchants in Lahore to discuss with them the issue of market access.

The US delegation acknowledged that the United States Senate immediately approved the legal problems in the Pakistan earthquake area and the reconstruction of the terrorist zone.

The reconstruction opportunity zone (ROZ) Bill passed in the US House of representatives in June 11, 2009.

Since then, the US Senate has not accepted the bill.

According to sources from the conference, when the US delegation sought alternative proposals from textile manufacturers, they asked the United States to grant tariff free access to the US market for the value-added clothing industry, even if the export quota was set at US $1 billion.

Participants pointed out that Pakistan played a minor role in the US $55 billion 293 million clothing market, with exports of only US $1 billion 493 million.

They further pointed out that Pakistan clothing exports to the United States remained at the level of 2008, while the market share was 2.09%.

During the same period, China, Vietnam, Indonesia and Bangladesh increased their exports to the United States by 22%, 13%, 10% and 14% respectively. The total size of clothing import market in the United States in 2010 was 33%, 25%, 15% and 12% respectively.

They say that even if the ceiling of $1 billion is set, 30% of the already closed textile production capacity will be restored in the first year.

They say that from the beginning of second years, a new investment of US $800 million a year.

As the labour intensive clothing industry will gain access, 10 million new employment opportunities will be created, of which 60% will be granted to women.

They say, Pakistan.

They pointed out that the majority of garment exporters are small and medium-sized enterprises.

They say that once they get market access, such as Bangladesh's clothing industry, their business will become bigger and bigger.

The source said the US delegation.