The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) has issued its response to the Strategic Trade Policy (STP) Framework announced earlier this week by the Ministry of Commerce. While commenting on the export target of 95 billion dollars for the next three years envisaged by the Ministry, FPCCI President Haji Fazal Kadir Khan Sherani said it was a realistic announcement, but would still require commitment and hard work, in view of the energy and security crises facing the country.
He also appreciated the fact that regional trade with ECO, China and Saarc had been recognised as an area of priority by proposing the idea of an exclusive Pakistan Land Port Authority. At the same time, Pakistan's weakness in the areas of fruit, meat and food processing had also been identified, and the STPF contained proposals to address these areas by encouraging industrial units in Balochistan, KP, Fata and Gilgit-Balitistan.
It may be kept in mind that FPCCI has been raising these issues with the Government of Pakistan at various forums. On the other hand, there were also some weaknesses in the STPF, which could not be overlooked from the point of view of the business community of the country.
For instance, the announcement of STPF has come near the end of the incumbent government's tenure, which raises a question mark about who would implement it, after the present government's term ended. While it was true that some of the business community's demands, such as reduction in mark-up for export-oriented industries had been acknowledged, yet there was nothing in the STPF to address some other thorny issues.-PR
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