Efforts afoot to promote export culture: Razak

Prime Minister's Advisor on Commerce, Textile, Industry, Production and Investment Abdul Razak Dawood has ruled out any subsidy to the cement industry, saying it is already exporting its production and falls in profitable zone. While addressing opening session of the First International Cement Conference (INTERCEM) at a local hotel on Tuesday, he said that the government is putting in place all possible measures to promote 'export culture' in Pakistan.
All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA) Chairman Saeed Saigol, Senior Vice Chairman Farid Fazal, Mian Muhammad Mansha, INTERCEM Chairman and a large number of local people and foreigners from cement sector were also present on the occasion.
Abdul Razak said when the PTI came into power, the industry in general and export industry in particular was suffering due to multiple input and other deficiencies, especially gas and electricity. Keeping in view the importance of industry and exports for economic growth, the government had resolved the industry's major problem of energy, gas and electricity. Now the process of deindustrialization was being reversed and exports were jacking up, he added.
He said efforts are afoot to encourage 'Made in Pakistan' culture in the world, adding that increased exports would lead the country to speedy economic development. The government was extending all possible support to industrial sector and providing the export-oriented industry with low-tariff gas and electricity.
While talking to media, the PM's Advisor said that holding of international exhibitions with active participation of foreigners was a good omen for Pakistan. "Active participation of a large number of foreigners in the first international cement conference (INTERCEM) is an ample proof of world's confidence in Pakistan," he observed.
Dawood said the cement industry was important sector of Pakistan's economy and mentioned that cement industry's production is 55 million tons and it will soon attain the target of 70 million tons per annum.
Pakistan cement industry was also eying 20 million tons exports from the current five million tons. "If Pakistan cement sector achieves its 20 million tons export target, the country's export revenue will enhance by 600 million US dollars to one billion US dollars," he maintained.
He said overall the cement industry was performing well and had no major issues; however, "I will do my best to resolve their petty issues and facilitate this industry further." To a question, he said second phase of Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with China would be worked out till June 2019.
In response to another question, he expressed firm resolve that government would grasp the economic constraints however it would take time as there was no short-cut for durable solutions to economic ills. Abdul Razak Dawood also opened the three-day conference by cutting a ribbon and took a round of stalls set up by the cement industry players.