EU agrees trade concessions to flood-hit Pakistan

[pampango]

Source: BBC

The European Union has agreed to make trade concessions to Pakistan to help it overcome the impact of flooding, diplomats say. Details of the concessions are not yet available, but British diplomats told the BBC that potentially they could be worth millions of dollars. They say the deal could allow Pakistan significant reductions in duties paid on textile exports to EU countries.

British diplomats in Brussels told the BBC that Thursday's agreement would in principle allow Pakistan to avoid paying in duties on key imports to the European Union. But correspondents say that countries within the EU that have significant textile industries - such as France, Italy and Portugal - may be opposed to the move.

Any move to grant Pakistan a waiver on textile duties would also require the consent of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) to ensure trade rules are not violated. The details will be determined in the coming weeks, with the European Commission working with the WTO to finalise how the concessions can be be implemented.

The UN has said that billions of dollars will be needed in the long term. But charities say the response to the UN's appeal has been sluggish. The US has made the biggest contribution so far, followed by the UK.

Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-11323528

[sabrina 1]

1. With so many people in danger of death, whatever they can do to help

should be welcomed. To put politics or money before lives at this point is simply not acceptable. I hope they do not do that.

[dipsydoodle]

2. Is there anything to substantiate

that aid promised by both the US and the UK is any more than the usual vacant promises.