Lahore Chambers of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) President, Mian Shafqat Ali has said that instead of limiting exports to indigenous raw materials and goods manufactured from them, Pakistani exporters should import raw material and semi-processed goods to produce exportable goods.
"Pakistan should also become exporter of electronic goods like computers, air-conditioners, electrical equipment and modern tools of information technology," he added.
Mian Shafqat called for identification of the factors blocking Pakistan's quantum jump in exports. "12 to 15 per cent increase in exports is not a big achievement and Pakistan should strive for 40 to 50 per cent annual growth in exports," said President LCCI, Mian Shafqat Ali.
"It is an urgent need to find out why Export Processing Zones have so far contributed very nominal towards increase in the country's exports and why DTRE schemes can not achieve its objectives," he told PPI on Wednesday.
LCCI chief maintained that Pakistan's foreign trade was over-regulated and called for simplification and overhauling of these regulations.
He said these matters required thorough probe and that could be done through increased interaction and discussions between the Government and exporters.