20000302

FPCCI calls for end to duty bias on fabrics to Tunisia

RECORDER REPORT

KARACHI: A call was made by the FPCCI to end the discrimination in duty between fabrics of European origin and other origins on their import into Tunisia for further processing, during a meeting with the Ambassador of Tunisia at the Federation House here on Wednesday morning.

Tunisian Ambassador M. Lamine Benzarti who visited the Federation House was informed that the European origin fabrics imported in Tunisia for further processing are not charged any import duty while the fabrics of other origins are charged 12 percent to 15 percent import duty.

He promised to take up the matter with his government but clarified that the arrangement with the European suppliers of fabric was linked with the condition that they will import all the garments made from the imported fabrics. He pointed out that garment industry in his country was highly developed and Tunisia was the first exporter of jeans to Europe.

FPCCI Vice President Maqsood Ismail, highlighted the need for frequent exchange of trade delegations between the two countries to explore avenues of mutual collaboration. He mentioned that tourism offered one field of collaboration between the two countries.

The Tunisian envoy informed that his country followed liberal policies, with least red-tapism and a very thin bureaucracy to develop the national economy. He said that tourism was the single largest earner of the foreign exchange.

He said the Pak Finance Minister is expected to lead a delegation to Tunisia for joint ministerial meeting this year and hoped that businessmen would accompany him.

The meeting was also attended by Sindh Minister Iftikhar Soomro and FPCCI managing committee members.