ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has urged Japan to initiate early harvest programme to reduce tariff on textile products.

The demand came at a time when Pakistan has almost lost the Japanese market to competitors in the region.

Last year Japan imported textile products worth $38 billion, however, Pakistan’s share stood at $123 million, less than 0.33 per cent.

An understanding was reached in the fifth Pakistan-Japan business joint dialogue on Tuesday that as a way forward the commerce ministry of Pakistan would investigate causes of limited trade and produce a report.

During the meeting, Pakistan noted difficulties because of differential market access, as compared to regional competitors, like India, Bangladesh and Asean countries. These countries are enjoying duty-free access to Japanese market, either because of bilateral/regional trading arrangements or because of a least developing country (LDC) status.

Although Pakistan has GSP+ status and is getting on average 1.4pc lesser duties than developed countries, the tariff imposed on the country is 5.36pc (on an average) which is more than India, Bangladesh and Asean states.

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) expressed its desire to start a technical cooperation project to support Pakistan’s textile industry in 2016 to improve its competitiveness

Pakistani side expressed desire to supply temporary workforce required for Olympics 2020 in Japan. It also requested for issuance of longer-term validity multiple entry visas to businessmen.

Both sides concurred to cooperate for trade expansion in diverse sectors. Pakistan disclosed its plan to set up a “Consultation service for Pakistani companies” at the Embassy of Pakistan in Japan.

Published in Dawn, November 11th, 2015