ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Commerce Khurram Dastigir Khan has said that the economy of Pakistan is on sound track and there is no need to depend on other countries for achievement of the economic targets.
He was talking to Customs Today during an exclusive interview. Dastigir lauded lifting of sanction on Iran and said that “we are waiting for lifting of sanction on Iranian banking sector.” He said that a high-level delegation of the State Bank is going to Iran during the next week while other high ranking officials of both countries will also pay visit to each others’ countries.
Answering a question about PTA between D-8 countries, Dastigir said that Muslim countries have lot of skilled labour and there is no need to consult western countries in this regard. He said that the volume of trade between D-8 countries is very low and the PTA among D-8 countries is a big achievement.
The minister said that six countries of D-8 nations will start implementation on the PTA from July 1, 2016. He said that increasing of trade activities leads to investment. He said that Islamic countries failed to build a strong partnership among them in terms of trade and investment.
Khurram Dastigir said that now the economy of Islamic countries are producing positive results and due to this factor Islamic countries can easily generate employment opportunities for their manpower in their own countries. He said that Pakistan should establish trade ties with every country and this move will provide lot of benefits to Pakistani nation. He said our exporters focus is limited. He said when investors of western countries will know that Pakistan inked PTA with their country that will increase their cofidence on Pakistani economy and our traders will access their market directly but we have to follow their rules but their rules are very strict.
Answering a question he said that we are hoping that restrictions will be lifted on Iranian banking sector in June or July, we are preparing ourselves to enhance trade activities with Iran after lifting of International sanctions. He said on first stage we will start our trade by through ediable items.
Khurram Dastigir said that ministries of commerce of both countries is constantly in touch with each other and Pakistan is going to hold a exhibition in Iran we asked Iranian authorities to give us final date to hold such an exhibition. He said after lifting of sanction on Iranian banking sector international capitol will be available.
