Federal Minister for Commerce Engr. Khurram Dastgir said here on Wednesday that 10,400Megawatts of electricity would be added to the national grid by 2017. "The financial closure of various power projects is going to be made by the end of March, 2015 and 10,400MW of electricity will be inducted into national gird in the beginning of 2017," he added.
The minister was talking to media persons during his visit to the office of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FPCCI). He said that the top-most priority of the government is to attract both foreign and local investment in the country by restoring peaceful environment and ensuring adequate energy supply.
"The menace of terrorism from the country will be eradicated within two years as the whole nation is on the same page," the minister said, adding that the energy crisis will be reduced considerably with the import of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) by the end of next month.
Talking about the 9th Expo Pakistan which will commence on February 26 at the Karachi Expo Centre, he said that around 1,000 traders and businessmen from 70 different countries have confirmed their participation in this mega event. He said that the four-day export-oriented fair will, on the one hand, help in enhancing image of the country and, on the other, contribute handsome revenue to the national exchequer, besides the event would also promote the sense of self-reliance among the local business community.
Commenting on GSP Plus status, he said that the country's export to European Union (EU) from January-November 2014 had increased by $1.16 billion as compared to the same period during the previous financial year. Replying to a question about Indo-Pak trade relations, the minister said that both Pakistan and India will not be able to enjoy trade benefits as long as bilateral diplomatic ties between the two countries were not improved.
He was, however, optimistic that Indian Foreign Secretary's forthcoming visit to Pakistan will help in resolving mutual trade issues. The FPCCI president, Muhammad Idrees and the Chief Executive Officer of Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), S M Munir, were present on the occasion.
Later, businessmen and traders highlighted their issues and put forth a number off suggestions at a meeting held between the minister and the FPCCI members. The FPCCI chief on this occasion demanded of the government to take private sector on board while making FTA/PTAs. He also urged the ministry of commerce to prepare feasibility report with regard to establishing warehouses and bonded carrier facilities for Central Asian Countries, besides dry ports should be set up along with border areas of Afghanistan, Iran and India.
The FPCCI chief also demanded that `fake' associations should be banned, plants and machinery for export-oriented agro-based industry should be exempted from duty and knowledge-based economy should be promoted by organising seminars and workshops.
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