ISLAMABAD: Minister for Commerce, Engineer Khurram Dastgir Khan on Monday said that government was endeavoring to formulate a realistic, predictable and transparent medium-term trade policy framework for effectively addressing issues confronted by exporters.
Addressing the 64th meeting of the Advisory Council, he said that with improving peace and enhanced energy availability; the investors will regain confidence and start investing in the country.
He was of the view that priority of the Government intended to initiate policies which could reduce the cost and facilitate business process in the country.
The meeting was held to seek proposals for the third Strategic Trade Policy Framework (STPF) 2015-18 under the chairmanship of Minister for Commerce, Engr. Khurram Dastgir Khan.
The Council was informed that the Ministry of Commerce sought proposals from all the relevant stakeholders during the formulation of STPF and received 800 proposals.
These proposals were thoroughly scrutinized in the Ministry and several of them will be inducted in the final draft of the policy framework.
The participants put forward numerous proposals and emphasized the importance of bringing consistency in the economic policies. It was proposed that the Ministry of Commerce should work to improve the marketing and branding of Pakistani products abroad by effectively using its trade missions.
Government’s support in seeking costly international certifications was sought as this will help the small exporters to reach high-ended lucrative Western markets. It was proposed to enhance the exports of perishable items, the Government should enhance air cargo space in the national carrier.
The participants proposed that the Government should negotiate visa issues with its trading partners so that businessmen may travel at considerable ease.
Representatives of Ministry of Textile, National Food Security and Research, Industries and Production, Water and Power, Science and Technology, Information Technology, Board of Investment, SMEDA, State Bank of Pakistan, provincial Governments, Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry, District Chambers, exporters Associations and Academia participated in the meeting and put forth their proposals for the Strategic Trade Policy Framework 2015-18.
