Pakistan will have an added advantage of exporting more textile items in those quota categories where utilisation rate is 80 percent and above after removal of quota under WTO.

This was stated by the chairman Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) Tariq Ikram while speaking at the inauguration of textile and Garment exhibition Instyle Pakistan 2003 at Karachi Expo Centre here Wednesday.

Talking of the challenges of ex-quota scenario, he said that other competing countries were not able to fully utilise their quota in these
categories due to supply problems.

Ikram was of the view that post-quota era will be better for Pakistan as the potentials for growth of textile export are rising. He underlined the need for focusing on the growth of small And medium enterprises (SMEs) in terms of technical support, guidance, financial facilities for increasing share in the world textile market under WTO regime.

He pointed out that Pakistan will continue to pursue European Union for extension in 15 percent quota as well as restoration of Duty free access till 2004.