Raaziq International Vice President Tariq Mahmood Mian has urged the government to evolve a trade facilitation policy in consultation with the stakeholders in order to give a boost to the country's exports.
While talking to Business Recorder here on Wednesday, Tariq Mahmood also stressed the need for improving the regulatory mechanism and policy formulation that can help connect both the importers and exporters with their counterparts in the regional countries which in turn would enable Pakistan to exploit opportunities in Asia.
Pakistan, being an active member of the South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation (Saarc), has already signed Free Trade Agreements (FTA) with a number of countries in the region while roadmap is already in place but all it needs to be implemented in letter and spirit, he said.
He further contended that Pakistan had always remained a corridor for the trade transit between different parts of the world in the past. It could still facilitate trade between Far Eastern countries including India with rest of world in Europe, Middle East as well as in Central Asian States, he said.
Giving an example, he said, though Turkey attracts million of tourists annually which is one of the main sources of its revenue yet it can sustain at the same level of income on the basis of trade transit facility to a number of countries in Central Asian States, Russia, Europe and Asia because of its geo-political position. On this account, revenue from trade transit and allied activities has become a major source of Turkish income, Tariq Mahmood said.
Likewise, Pakistan has similar geo-political position in the South Asia and by extending transit facility can exploit the available advantage, he maintained. He was of the view that only setting up infrastructural facilities supported by business friendly policies can help Pakistan get rid of its economic worries. Pakistan is bestowed with natural resources besides the talented manpower but all these needed to be effectively and efficiently utilised to achieve the economic development goal, he added.
Talking about the Raaziq International's project "The Enterprise" he said, we have conceived an idea for setting up of a facility where businessmen could be provided a business friendly environment at an affordable cost. He said, "We completed this project within four-year time with an investment of Rs 1500 million" and added that the modern, refined and fully equipped complex is a combination of office spaces, conference rooms, productivity centers and relaxation zones.
He said that a cluster of different industries starting from Sahiwal to Gujrat, and Sheikhupura that encouraged us to develop a modern complex for the industrial and corporate sector. The Enterprise was developed with an understanding that true productivity is a result of more than just the latest gadgetry; productivity is achieved through most important assets of working staff. In view of ongoing power outrages, the facility has back up support of 3.2 mega watt power plant to provide uninterrupted electricity supply.
Moreover, to ensure complete security, the premises is walled, monitored round the clock, and secured completely through a multi-tiered security system. Apart from other facilities, covered parking area can accommodate 400 vehicles, he mentioned. Besides 35 motel rooms are also available in the premises so that training workshop facility could be provided within the complex, Tariq Mahmood added.