Pakistan's exports of engineering goods, including surgical instruments, cutlery and electric fans, can cross $1 billion with the introduction of standardisation and certification. This was stated by the chief executive officer (CEO) of Engineering Development Board (EDB), Eitezaz Niazi.
While talking to media persons at the inauguration of 9th international 'Pakistan Oil, Gas and Energy Exhibition (POGEE) 2011' and 7th International Fire and Security Exhibition and Conference at Expo Centre here on Tuesday. He said that at present, the exports value of these three products is $790 million, or 4 percent of the country's total exports of last year, of which surgical items secured a major share of 32 percent. Niazi said that Pakistan's engineering products are sold at very low price and the buyers earn huge profits, after some value-addition. For example, he said, a surgical instrument which is purchased for $8 from Pakistan is sold at $80 after some value-addition, in European countries.
He said that EDB was focusing on three items in engineering sector and they are: surgical items, cutlery, and electric fans. "We are helping surgical instruments sector to get international certification and introduction of standards. Similarly, we are persuading this sector to hire qualified engineers for production control and processes so that they can get good prices for their products," he stated.
He said that the finishing of engineering products is not good. Similarly, fan manufacturers do not use quality coils and blades to make energy-efficient fans for export purposes. He said that EDB would also extend support for the local manufacturing of solar panels and small wind turbines and blades.
Additional Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources, Rashid Mazari, said that the Ministry has asked the provincial governments to take legal action against those petrol pumps which stop sale of petroleum products ahead of monthly price fixation. "We have asked the chief secretaries of all provinces to take legal action which may include cancellation of licence and imposition of fines for not selling petroleum products to consumers in expectation of price rise", he added.
Mazari said that gas has acquired a major share in electricity production in the country with 49 percent, followed by thermal, and hydel generation. He said that the Ministry has no role in the fixation of prices of petroleum products as this is the prerogative of Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra).
Chairman of Petroleum Dealers Association, Abdus Sami Khan, said that the increase in CNG prices had disbalanced the price parity between petrol and CNG. Earlier, at the inauguration, chairman of Pegasus Consultancy, Aasim A Siddiqui, said that 150 leading local and international companies from 25 countries are displaying their quality products at the exhibition. He said that Iran, Germany and China have their exclusive pavilions at the show.
Chairman of Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, (IEEE), Engineer Tahir Saleem talked about present energy crisis and suggested to the government to introduce technology-based programmes. He also suggested going for co-generation to come out of energy crisis.