Pakistan Asks Japan to Slash Tariff on Textiles

Pakistan has asked Japan to reduce tariff on textile products in a bid to increase export volume, sources said.

There is between 13 percent to 15 percent tariff on Pakistan textile goods exported to Japan, which renders them uncompetitive.

Pakistani textiles hold the potential of grabbing a bigger slice of the Japanese market and a reduction in tariff by the Japan government on Pakistani products will help theme compete products coming from China, India, Bangladesh, Turkey and Egypt, the sources said.

After a free trade agreement between Japan and India, the export tariff on Indian goods has almost become zero while Bangladesh, being one of the least developed countries, also enjoys the same concession.

According to the sources, Pakistani authorities had received a positive reply from the Japanese government on the proposal of slashing the tariff.

Meanwhile, a delegation of Japanese officials will be visiting Pakistan soon to discuss the issue with Pakistani authorities, the sources added.