Business community has welcomed the measures taken in the trade policy for year 2006-7 and have termed the establishment of Trade Development Authority (TDA) a step in right direction, as the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) has failed to come up to the expectations of the business community.
These views were expressed by LCCI President Mian Shafqat Ali, Senior Vice President Abdul Basit, Vice President Aftab Ahmad Vohra, PIAF Chairman Mian Abuzar Shad, Vice Chairman Irfan Qaisar, Khamis Saeed Butt, Punjab Economic Forum Chairman Mian Anjum Nisar, Association of Auto Parts Exporters Chairman Tahir Javed Malik and Sunder Industrial Estate Owners Association Chairman Mubasher Sheikh in reaction to the Trade Policy 2006-07 here on Monday.
While cautioning the government over failing to meet the exports target, they averred that the government should adopt certain measures to assure of meeting the exports target next year; otherwise it would become difficult to meet the target as well as would reverse the trend.
They said the new body would help give required boost to the exports, however, the government should assure that pick and choose policy is not adopted in the formation of the TDA.
Nomination for the members of TDA from the private sector should be invited from all the chambers in the country, which would contribute in fulfilling the purpose of TDA, they added. They also welcomed the establishment of the Carpet Cities in Lahore and Karachi. "Moreover, setting up of Jewellery Park in Karachi would also help in promoting this much-ignored sector having a huge potential.
According to them, plan to construct three more expo centres in the country, Islamabad, Quetta and Peshawar, would help in promoting Pakistani products to the world markets and hence build the soft image of the country. Moreover, continuation of trade subsidy scheme with certain modifications is highly appreciated by the business community.
"In a bid to promote SME exports, the government decision to set up SME export houses with public-private partnership would certainly give boost to exports in this sector, while the 6 percent compensatory rebate to readymade garments would help revival of this sector," they added. They also welcomed the establishment of Halal Meat Zones (HMZ) and poultry export zones (PEZ).