Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) acting chairman Rafique Suleman has hoped that after forming the government, Imran Khan will address the economic issues of Pakistan along with the long pending issues being faced by the business community of Karachi.
Rafique Suleman along with Abdul Rahim Janoo, and Mahmood Moulvi, Former chairmen REAP has expressed his heartiest congratulations to PTI chairman Imran Khan for their historic victory in General Elections 2018. He said business community already has good expectations towards the victory of PTI. "We hoped that PTI will fulfil all the commitments which they have shown earlier particularly to improve the infrastructure of Karachi and will ensure to improve the trade activities in Karachi", he added.
Suleman emphasized PTI leadership to gather the experts from all the trade sectors such as textile, agriculture commodities, i.e. rice, cotton, Surgical, Leather, Sports Goods and Real Estate and make a strong coalition of all trade related experts to formulate the business friendly policies. These experts will guide the upcoming government to get the business on right track to cater the challenges being faced by our trade in domestic as well as in international markets, he added.
Rafique appreciated the role of REAP's former chairman Mahmood Moulvi to contest the Elections on the platform of PTI in NA-255, which was the strong territory of MQM and despite very touch competition, he got more than 50,000 votes from this constituency.
He said Mahmood has been working for the improvement of export trades of Pakistan during his tenure as REAP chairman. He complained that previous governments have not shown their interest to grow export trade, which was the major reason for declining of export trade from $25 billion and fallen up to $23 billion.
REAP acting chairman said the business community are waiting for the fulfilment of the commitments of Imran Khan to grow the export trade which is the back bone of any country's economy. Exploration of new markets for our exports, reduce the cost of manufacturing for export purpose, provision of suitable lands to establish industries, necessary research & development work in agriculture sector, introduction of new rice seeds to increase rice exports, to get better tariffs for Pakistani products and rice export sector should be given the status of Industry, which we have already requested the previous government, should be focused for the betterment of the economy, he demanded.
Suleman said all trade bodies, such as Chamber of Commerce & Federation (FPCCI) who are not performing well; there is a need to replace with good leadership who can concentrate on country's trade. "REAP leadership is always ready to support new government. We have the experienced experts from all trade fields, who are ready to contribute their role for the betterment of business", he added He said trade balance with other countries will be done on priority basis, which we have also requested several times to control the imports and increase the export trade. Suleman has also shown his hope that we are optimistic that new government will make a better change, particularly in all business related sectors and our country will be included in the list of Developed countries.