The government has decided to provide subsidy of Rs 2 million from Export Development Fund (EDF) to potato exporters. According to a press release, the decision was taken at a meeting of EDF Board here on Wednesday where it was felt that exporters of potato were facing problems and may be provided with the freight subsidy immediately from its normal fund and the EDF could claim the money from Finance Division later.
Commerce Minister Humayun Akhtar chairing the meeting instructed for immediate co-ordination with provincial governments regarding freight subsidy for potato exports.
The main thrust of the board's strategy was to undertake performance audit of all its training institutes with a view to determining the viability and sustainability of such institutes. Those institutes which fared well will be considered for additional funding through the EDF.
The board also gave guidelines for examining feasibility reports and gave a modality for having such proposals examined by auditors. Export Skill Development Council (ESDC), which is going to be set up soon, is to ensure that EDF money is channelised into viable and effective projects. -PR