LAHORE: The Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PRGMEA) has demanded that the government should ask the Turkish authorities to waive 42.2 percent Safeguard Measures Duty (SMD) placed on the apparel imports of Pakistan.
PRGMEA said that the levy has caused decrease in Pakistan’s textile export to Turkey as it has dropped by almost 50pc to around $500 million from $1 billion.
It was told, “The Pakistan government raised the issue at the highest level with the Turkish officials but there has been no development.” The participants were informed that Pakistan’s bilateral trade with Turkey grew at good pace and crossed $1bn mark in 2010-11, but it started declining after the imposition of safeguard duties in August 2011.
The countries were engaged in talks over Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Prgmea Central Chairman Ijaz Khokhar said that Turkey has no threats from Pakistani garments since it is manufacturing 95pc of fashion and casual wear.
