Korangi Association of Trade and Industry's (Kati) president Zahid Saeed has demanded of the government to announce trade policy framework and exporters' package without any further delay. Recalling his meeting with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in September, he said that though the latter had promised to announce Strategic Trade Policy Framework (STPF) and exporters' package within few days, both the framework and the package are yet to see the light of day.
"Delay in announcing trade policy framework and exporters' package will create problems for the industry and export sector," he said, adding that Pakistan missed the 2014-15 export target and could barely reach a figure of USD 24 billion as compared to Bangladesh's exports which touched USD31bn during the same period although the top export category for both these economies is textile and garments.
"We are working in a highly competitive international environment and Pakistan's competing countries are occupying available space in international market with each passing day, leaving no place for Pakistani companies," he opined. Underscoring the need for paying more attention towards the export-oriented industry, Zahid suggested that the industries providing jobs to a large number of people should be given preferential treatment in the proposed policy and the package. Referring to infrastructural issues of Korangi and other industrial areas of the city, he said that although the industrialists had proposed a plan to help resolve these issues mutually, it could not be implemented due to higher ups indifferent attitude.
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