SIALKOT: National Assembly Standing Committee on Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs Thursday unanimously recommended complete patronage of the export sector and stressed for making all-out efforts to decline in national exports.
The committee recommended promotion of industries in Sialkot by removing all hurdles to smooth export of the Pakistani products, and taking all stake-holders into confidence.
This committee Thursday held a meeting at the auditorium of Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI). Chairman of the Committee Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh and Mian Abdul Manan jointly chaired the meeting.
The committee discussed the problems being faced by the Sialkot exporters and Sialkot industries and recommended that the government should come forward with effective measures to boost Sialkot sports goods, surgical instruments, leather and leather garments industries.
They stressed early clearance of exporters’ refund claims worth billions of rupees. Committee Chairman Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh said that the Sialkot exporters were strengthening the national economy by earning the foreign exchange to the tune of US$2 billion annually.
During the meeting, the Sialkot exporters claimed about decline in leather exports. They said that it had become very hard for the Sialkot exporters to compete with other countries in the region and in the international markets, as they were producing much cheaper products.
They said that proper government patronage, support and encouragement could help Sialkot exporters gain their lost space in the international market.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s parliamentarian Asad Umar, Dr Nafisa Shah of Pakistan People’s Party, Abdul Rashid Gordil of Muttahida Qaumi Movement also spoke on the occasion.
It was for the first time that National Assembly Standing Committee on Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs held its meeting in Sialkot. Senior FBR officials gave briefing to the meeting on the status of refunds claims’ payment.
Commitee’s members Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh, Dr Shezra Mansab Ali Khan Kharal, Mian Abdul Manan, Dr Nafisa Shah, Asad Umar, Abdul Rashid Godil, senior officials of FBR, SBP, NBP, BoI, SMEDA, newly elected President of SCCI Zahid Latif Malik, Chairman Air Sial airline Sialkot Fazal Jillani, Chairman Sialkot International Airport Limited (SIAL) Khawar Anwar Khawaja and senior exporters also attended the meeting.
