Present regime would succeed in reducing the budgetary deficit by imposing heavy duty on luxury items, unproductive items and big cars, however, previous regime did not care for the imports nor increased the exports to maintain the balance.
Our imports climbed to 40 billion dollars while exports were less than 20 billion dollars, said Chief Executive Officer of Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), Syed Mohib-ullah Shah while addressing the member of executive committee of Multan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) chaired by Khawaja Muhammad Jalaluddin Roomi here on Sunday. He said, "we are bringing a big trade project for Multan which would be completed in two years while an expo centre would be developed at Multan airport.
He said that exporters, manufacturers and traders would avail 50 percent more opportunities than preceding years to take part in trade exhibitions, festivals. He said that TDAP had formed nine advisory boards including agro-food, engineering, minerals export, and human resource advisory boards. These boards would keep vigilant eye on the world market with the collaboration of exporters and it would meet quarterly to recommend the exports of Pakistani products where these are required.
He said that TDAP was focussing on the needs and priorities of the stakeholders. He said that Pakistan's textile exports are 62 to 64 percent while India was exporting only 16 percent. However, our mineral export is zero while India's export climbed to 18 percent. Secretary TDAP Naveed Arif also spoke on the occasion.
In his welcome address Khawaja Muhammad Jalal-uddin Roomi said that due representation must be given to MCCI in different official committees and quota be fixed for Multan Chamber in trade fair, exhibitions, seminar and trade delegations. He suggested that a ten-member trade delegation comprising MCCI members should be arranged for foreign visits. Proper representation be given to MCCI in federal economic board and export development fund, mark-up rate on export refinance scheme be cut considerably.