§ Mr Nicholas WintertonTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what recent representations he has received from companies in the textile machinery sector about Export Credits Guarantee Department provisions for trade with Pakistan.
§ Mr. Needham[holding answer 1 July 1993]: My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade has received no such representations recently.
§ Mr. Nicholas WintertonTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement outlining the steps which he is currently taking to assist British companies to win contracts for exports to Pakistan.
§ Mr. Needham[holding awswer 1 July 1993]: Exporters to Pakistan have access to the full range of Government trade promotion services. My Department, in recognition of the importance of the Pakistan market, has designated it as a particular target for our trade promotion efforts. We are arranging a series of seminars and workshops to advise companies on areas of opportunity, on how to win business and on available sources of finance. Recruitment for three DTI-sponsored missions to Pakistan later this year is currently taking place. Finally, we are aiming to appoint in the near future an export promoter specifically to cover Pakistan.
§ Mr. Nicholas WintertonTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if he has any plans to increase the availability of ECGD cover for trade with Pakistan.
§ Mr. Needham[holding answer 1 July 1993]: A review of ECGD policy towards cover for Pakistan is scheduled for the autumn.
§ Mr. Nicholas WintertonTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what information he has concerning comparisons between the United Kingdom's provisions of ECGD cover for trade with Pakistan, and the provisions made by other countries within the European Economic Community.
§ Mr. Needham[holding answer 1 July 1993]: Recent exchanges with European export credit agencies suggest that, in common with ECGD, they generally adopt a relatively cautious attitude to support for medium and long-term business.