|
Main Page
|
 |
|
News Channel |
|
PSMA for inclusion of sugar in sensitive items'
list for Safta
ISLAMABAD (April 16 2004): Pakistan Sugar Mills
Association (PSMA) has demanded of the government
to include sugar in sensitive items' list for
South Asia Free Trade Arrangement (Safta) regime
to protect local industry.
PSMA Punjab Zone Chairman Javed Kayani on Thursday
said that inclusion of sugar into the list could
ensure due protection to the domestic industry in
Safta regime against dumping of the commodity from
Saarc member countries, which, otherwise, would
have a clear edge over Pakistan and hit its
industry adversely. Kayani was of the view that
Safta regime in the prevailing situation could be
devastating for local industry, which already
faces a number of challenges.
He counted high power and gas tariff among
challenges that, he added, were increasing input
cost of the industry and subsequently of sugar.
Pakistan and other Saarc countries had entered an
agreement for Safta under which trade in all
member countries would be free of taxes and
duties.
In the last meeting held in Islamabad, member
countries agreed to divide themselves into two
categories-developed and least developed
countries.
For least developed countries, taxes and duties
structure would be different to that of developed
ones.
Similarly, the member countries had been provided
an outlet in the form of sensitive items list to
protect their poor areas, which in their opinion,
could be damaged by member countries imports in
Safta regime.
The member countries are supposed to prepare and
refer the list of their sensitive items' list to
the Saarc secretariat.
The list of sensitive items of each member country
would be discussed to sort consensus in the
forthcoming meeting of the Saarc countries,
expected to be held in Islamabad in the first week
of the next month.
Safta would not apply on those items, which would
be approved and declared as sensitive by the Saarc
countries. For member countries this special
status would continue for five years, extendable
for another term.
Kayani said: "Pakistan's sugar industry is
fighting for survival for years and its exposure
for Safta regime at this point of time would be
killing."
He claimed that inclusion of sugar into sensitive
list for Safta regime could be a wise decision to
protect the local industry.
Courtesy Business Recorder |
|
|
|
|
Pakissan.com; Advisory Point
|
|
