Lahore: Adviser to the Prime Minister on Trade and Investment Abdul Razzaq Dawood has assured to fix the issues including section 302 A and fixation of good declaration on containers.
He was answering to question of traders and industrialists during his visit to the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Lahore Chamber President Mian Tariq Misbah, former presidents Mian Misbah-ur-Rehman, Shahid Hassan Sheikh, Sohail Lashari and Irfan Iqbal Sheikh also addressed the gathering.
He said that his government is
focusing on making Pakistan a manufacturing hub.
The Advisor said that the Prime Minister will have meetings with the Presidents of the Chambers to set export target for the next year. He said that Pakistan is shifting from trading to manufacturing that is a key to economic stability.
He said that Pakistan’s trade with Uzbekistan and Central Asian States is very low. These countries want access to the sea and Pakistan is most suitable country for them.
He said that Uzbekistan has acquired 25 acres of land that will increase trade between the two countries. He said that the government is going to sign a transit trade agreement with Uzbekistan. He said that two flights between Pakistan and Uzbekistan will be started soon.
He said Pakistan must focus on enhancing regional trade which remains very low and must be exploited. Calling for increase in regional trade, he gave the example of the European Union where regional trade was 90 per cent.
Abdul Razak Dawood shared details of the agreements and MoUs concluded during Prime Minister Imran Khan’s recent visit to Uzbekistan, saying it was a successful visit. He informed the meeting that 71 agreements were signed between the two countries. He invited the businessmen to take part in the single-country exhibition to be held in Tashkent soon.
He added that economic and industrial boost was on government’s top agenda. He assured businessmen that all problems of the industrial sector would be resolved amicably. “The Commerce Ministry is actively engaging with all relevant stakeholders to understand the issues related to trade and investment in current challenging situation,” he added.
LCCI President Mian Tariq Misbah said that the Ministry of Commerce deserves special appreciation on the remarkable export performance of Pakistan as the Export figure for 2020-21 has crossed 25 Billion Dollars.
He also appreciated that in line with the LCCI’s recommendations to reduce the cost of doing business and promote industrialization, the Government has reduced Custom Duties, Regulatory Duties and Additional Custom Duty on the import of raw materials of various industries e.g. food processing, tourism, footwear, poultry, paint, chemicals, artificial leather, paperboard, optical fibers and electronics manufacturing etc. This will certainly help to enhance the export competitiveness of these sectors.
The LCCI President highlighted the issue of the new clause 203 (B) through which exorbitant powers have given to the Government Committee to arrest and prosecute business community. He said that this is against the spirit of business friendly environment according to the vision of our honourable Prime Minister. He recommended that this clause should be withdrawn through a special amendment.
The LCCI President said that the export of raw material copper is hampering our SME sector. No Duty on export of Copper is levied even though it is an important raw material for many small industries related to Engineering sector in Pakistan.
He said that the issue of the Misuse of Tax Exemptions given to the industries based in Federal/Provincial Administered Tribal Areas (FATA/PATA) on imports of raw materials remains largely unaddressed.
The LCCI has raised this issue with the State Bank that the ban on Advance Payments for Commercial Importers is making it very difficult for them to import vital raw materials and other essential components (spare parts and machinery). We recommend that Commercial Importers should be allowed to import against Advance Payments up to US$ 20,000/-.
“It is worth mentioning that 65% of our exports go to just 10 countries. The persistent issue of the lack of sound banking channels is not enabling us to enhance our exports to potential markets like Africa, Central Asia and Russia. LCCI has raised this issue many times with State Bank and the Ministry of Commerce. We recommend that the formal Banking Channels should be established on priority basis”, Mian Tariq Misbah added.
Former LCCI President Mian Misbah-ur-Rehman suggested formation of a committee having Prime Minister, Finance Minister, Advisor on Commerce and exporters as members in its fold.
Executive Committee Members Shahid Nazir, Shahzad Butt, Fiaz Haider, Zeshan Sohail Malik, Mardan Ali Zaidi, Uzma Shahid, Imran Bashir, Abdul Wadood Alvi and Malik Riaz Iqbal were also present.
