For the first time Pakistan has started export of optic fibre cable to Afghanistan, and African countries. Talking to Business Recorder, Chairman of Federal ''B'' Area Association of Trade and Industry (FBAATI) and Director of Premier Cables, Shahid Ismail, said that Pakistan exported almost 1000 km optic fibre cable to these countries, and more orders were in pipeline for export.
He said that Pakistan managed to secure this tender after beating China and India in quality and price competition. Pakistan has huge potential for export of optic fibre cable. To take hold of this opportunity Pakistan must take steps to reduce cost of manufacturing in the country, he added. He said that power and gas tariffs are among the highest in Pakistan, and added that the govt should take appropriate measures to reduce cost of manufacturing.
Citing the example of China, he said that China allows duty-fee import of raw material used in manufacturing of optic fibre besides allowing rebate on its export. Shahid said that Pakistan allows duty drawback on export of optic fibre, and added that the process of claiming duty drawback is very cumbersome, and demanded that SRO relating to duty drawback must be simplified. He also demanded of the government to take appropriate measures to curb smuggling of optic fibre from China. At present, around 400 to 500 km optic fibre is being smuggled into Pakistan per month, he added.