The government should pay a special attention for exploration of minerals and its value-addition, as it could help in increasing the exportable items from the country as well as improving the volume of overall exports.
Mian Abu Zarshad, vice-chairman of Pakistan Industrial and Traders Associations Front (Piaf), stated this in a statement issued here on Tuesday.
He said that Pakistan has been blessed with natural resources, but the government has no think-tank to develop a strategy for their exploration and value-addition. He said that there was also no consultant firm, which could provide guidance in this regard.
Abu Zarshad claimed that exports from Pakistan consist of over few traditional items and "we are beating trumpets by achieving the meagre US 12 billion dollars export target."
In his opinion, if the minerals could be explored and later value-added in line with the present day requirements, export figures could register a high jump.
He said that the Lahore Chamber has constituted a standing committee on minerals, which is working to submit its proposals to the government. Nevertheless, he opined that unless the government admits importance of this sector and allocates resources according to the needs, trade of minerals could not be promoted.
The Piaf vice-chairman called upon the Punjab Mines and Minerals Minister Sibtain Khan to consult the experts in this regard and point out ways and means to improve trade in this sector.
He also called upon the CBR and the commerce minister to allow duty-free import of machinery required for exploration of minerals and its value-addition.