ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reform Ahsan Iqbal has said that after achieving economic stability in the start of PML-N tenure, the country will take off in year 2016.
The minister said this while addressing the 9th Advisory Committee Meeting of Planning Commission. He said that visible improvement has been witnessed on various fronts from economy to security in two and half years. However country has various challenges ahead to make it compatible with fast changing business environment internationally to ensure sustained and inclusive growth, he added.
He said that efforts are being made to make country’s export sector vibrant and more productive and highlighted the structural reforms, required in the export sector and opined that it would not be possible without a liberal trade regime. Minister said that year 2016 is being observed as a year of “Productivity, Quality & Innovation” in the national economy under Vision-2025 for sustainable economic growth.
He particularly laid emphasis on productivity in the economy and underlined the need for creating awareness in public and private sector about productivity as well as quality to make the country’s products compatible with international standardization and certification.
“This initiative is aimed at making “Made in Pakistan” a premier brand in the world”, he added. He also underscored the need to further the growth in industry to produce the surplus production.
In agriculture sector, Minister said international recession in commodity sector caused some problems for country’s agriculture sector, which should be tackled promptly to ensure growth in it.
The minister also urged to review the commodity nature of the present export portfolio to go for high value added products to register quantum jump in it. He also urged for customization of products and said that market-driven approach is required to explore the demand of various products.
