U.S. IMPORTERS SEEK ACTION TO CUT TRADING RISKS WITH PAKISTAN

U.S. IMPORTERS SEEK ACTION TO CUT TRADING RISKS WITH PAKISTAN Two U.S. trade groups representing retailers and importers have urged the Bush administration to ease the business risks of trading with the Mideast — specifically Pakistan.
   The International Mass Retail Association and the U.S. Association of Importers of Textiles and Apparel urged the administration to take steps to shore up Mideastern markets through short-term trade concessions.
   “Companies want to make sure that they don't have to cancel import orders from the Middle Eastern region, especially for apparel and textile orders placed in Pakistan,” said Jonathan Gold, director of trade policy for the IMRA. “While we support the administration's call to get back to business as usual, it's a real challenge for American retailers and importers doing business in the Middle East right now.”
   “The threat of cancelled orders is very real,” said Laura Jones, executive director of the USA-ITA. “there are real risks and difficulties in doing business in the Middle East right now. U.S. companies are finding it hard to get insurance, they have had to pull their personnel back because of safety concerns and travel advisories, and air and ocean transport is uncertain. Transit times are increasing and so are costs.”
   Jones said that, as Bush gathers his anti-terrorism coalition, he must be aware of the economic stability of Pakistan and other allies. Pakistan is the leading supplier of cotton yarn imports to the United States, as well as the leading supplier of cotton fabric and cotton made-ups and home furnishings. Total annual value of Pakistan's textile and apparel exports to the United States is $1.9 billion, making it the fourth-largest supplier overall.
   The trade groups propose that Bush take action with respect to Pakistan to make it easier for U.S. businesses to get insurance, simplifying Customs procedures for textiles and apparel, and granting short-term duty and quota preferences for textile and apparel products from the region.