Secretary
of State Colin Powell accompanied by other US officials will be
holding an important meeting with Pakistan leaders on Tuesday. The
participants will take stock of the situation posing enormous problems
to Pakistan as a result of US-led campaign against Taliban in
Afghanistan. Though return of normalcy in the region depends on the
end of US-led campaign against Afghanistan, Powell says that the
important question was not the duration of the current campaign but
its outcome. From Pakistan's point of view it is however very
important that war comes to an end at the earliest
EXPORTS
Pakistan
is feared to loose a substantial foreign exchange due to US war
against neighbouring Afghanistan. Increased insurance and freight
rates and a weakening dollar have pushed the cost of exports. In
addition, export orders from the US and the EU have come to a trickle
and are feared to dried out in the coming months. PAGE takes a
closer look.
QUOTA
RESTRICTIONS
Pakistan
has been assured that quota restriction will be eased and duties will
be reduced on textiles and clothing products. It seems that now that
only ceilings will be enhanced. However, this is not the key issue.
The real problem is convincing the buyers to place orders with
Pakistani exporters which cannot be resolved without active
participation of governments of importing countries.
