The quota regime in textiles and clothing is unlikely to be extended beyond the deadline of 2005, a senior World Trade Organisation official said on Tuesday.

"The agreement on textiles and clothing is unlikely to be extended beyond this as member countries are willing," WTO deputy director general Kipkorir Ali Rana said.

However, he said there are pressures on countries not to phase out quotas and requests have been received. But there seems to be a determination not to extend them beyond the deadline.

Major textile exporting countries like India, which have low wages, are expected to benefit enormously by the phasing out of quotas which are currently seen as a restriction by many sourcing companies.

Many leading retail chains like Walmart and JC Penney among others have already indicated that their apparel sourcing from India will go up after the quotas are phased out.

Speaking at a Confederation of Indian Industry meeting, Rana said WTO had already started capacity building exercise for trade integration for countries which will face end of preferences after dismantling of quotas.

He said such a programme was being carried out for sugar as well.