I’ve been thinking about this for a while but just got lazy and didn’t discuss it with anyone until now that i hear the Pakistan is about to declare bankruptcy (oh so many galian come to mind that i wish i could say here)
I was in Pakistan a few months ago and a family friend of ours mentioned this. He used to have a garment factory in Pakistan but a few years (not exactly when) the western countries (he especially named Canada) declared that all textile/garment exports from Bangladesh will be duty free to help the poor country.
This is doing a massive damage to Pakistan’s garment industry as it can’t compete with Bangladesh where it is already much cheaper to produce and now their products cost exactly the same in Canada as they were priced when they leave Bangladesh and now nobody wants Pakistani garments as they are much more pricey compared to Bangladeshi products.
I think we should do something about it. We all are always ahead blaming Pakistanis, politicians etc on the current state of Pakistan but hardly anyone actually does anything practical in Pakistan or overseas about the issues.
My problem is that i have no idea where to start from? i’ve never been active in politics arena in Canada so have no clue as to what steps can be taken toward this issue. At least raise awareness about the issue and maybe we can get some kinda concessions on Pakistani exports. This could prove very healthy for Pakistani economy.
Re: Message for Canadians: an idea to help Pakistan
May be you can start by helping Pakistan regain its previous status, how to help? Contact your local senators, ask local Pakistanis to call those senators/parliament/govt representatives to change the trading status of Pakistan so there is no duty on imports from Pakistani products (atleast for garments) as Pakistan is on verge of bankruptcy. Write to your local newspapers about this situation.
is sad for pakistan and pakistani people
please write to your mp or try to meet him personaly and persuade him to discuss this matter with other mps and help to abolish duty or customs for pakistani products.
but problem is as far i know pakistans own 70% clothing market is taken by india china korea due to low quality material is being sold in the market
other thing which is ver interesting to know that pakistan textile industry failed to produced good quality cloths especially blends.
and pakistani textile expert failed to control "bur" phuti on the cloth which appears after two three washes.
Other reason cheap dyes being used in coloured cloths
there are many reasons of failure of pakistani products
but please try to get market for pakistani products
Re: Message for Canadians: an idea to help Pakistan
^ not exactly, since Bangladesh declared as poor country status few years back. it has no tarrif imposed by western markets hence its cheaper to import from Bangladesh and this is not only canada but all the western markets, EU, UK and US all
LEVI, RL, Timberland etc use to import from Pakistan for better quality garments in the region, since the inception of the poor country status given to bangladesh and Pakistan is not considered as such country. many of the units in Pakistan actually have closed or forced to sell with less or no profit at all ( many just surviving on Pak Government subsidy on exports)
and it was not on the basis for import shift from Pakistan to Bangladesh as its cheaper from importers in the west cause tarrif free imports from Bangladesh.
so its not just canada we need to pressurise to give a level playing field to Pakistan for Garment industry. it has been done under a treaty or a rule
The problem is that if only 3-4 people do this, it will have zero affect on anything. The MPs got other stuff to deal with and unless there is a large number of people bothering them about an issue, they won't budge on the issue.
I was/am hoping to initiate some form of petition or something along those lines where we can get the large Pakistani community that we've in Canada aware of the issue and do something about it. In my opinion this is not a very hard matter, at least not too much work on our part (govt. does something or doesn't is another story). so how do we go about reaching the community?
do you guys know of any Canadian NGOs/organizations/groups that might be able to help in this matter?
Don’t just shrug the idea of contacting MPs off … keep calling, urge all Pakistanis to call, MPs are there for YOUR concerns. If you really want to make a difference then in ALL your social networks urge everyone to call their representatives, do it in emails, do it on Orkut, Facebook, launch a “petitiononline.com” petition, contact Welcome to the Pakistan Canada Association, Calgary Website (not sure how effective/large membership they have), pcawwc.com - Home, do google.