Ministry of Finance Advisor Dr Ashfaq Hassan Khan has said the government was taking various steps for rapid increase in exports of the country.
Speaking in a PTV programme, he said a new "rapid exports growth strategy" has been evolved to boost exports. He said huge foreign investment was coming in the country and the country was achieving goals and setting the targets.
To a question, he said a gradual shift was taking place in value addition, but there was need to do it faster. "We are trying to do that," he added.
Dr Ashfaq said there was lot of value addition required in fruit and food processing, which would strengthen the country's agro-based industry.
It will go to the roots of poverty alleviation, job creation in the rural areas, he added.
To a question, Dr Ashfaq said expo-center of Lahore would be a center of activity and by holding maximum exhibitions, products of the country could be introduced to foreigners.
He said basically, President General Pervez Musharraf wanted that diversification should be made in exports, in terms of regional markets, in terms of commodities. Because, so far, out of total 75 to 80 per cent exports of the country were in about only five items (Textile, Rice, Leather etc).
The situation needs diversification, he said adding so far the main concentration remained in European Union and North American markets. Now, the market for country's export is being expanded.
He said, "Our exports are increasing gradually."
To a question, he said under the new strategy for rapid growth of exports, "We are focusing on non-traditional markets like Africa and Eastern Europe."
He said intensive efforts were also being made to improve agri-products.
Heavy investment has been made for bringing about improvement in the quality of agricultural products, he added.
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