I am pleased to know that following its past tradition, the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) is organizing the 42nd Export Trophy Awards, 2018 to confer awards to the leading exporter of Pakistan in recognition of their excellent performance this year.
This annual occasion provides an opportunity to exporters to identify challenges, analyze emerging trends in the world markets and devise new Strategies for the promotion of exports.
The government is fully aware of the innumerable challenges by the exporters in the face of the severe competition which requires us to improve our exports scenario and also expand the export menu consolidated by both price and quality, with growing competition among developing nations for the promotion of exports, Pakistan will have to explore new avenues for marketing its traditional and non-traditional export.
The Government has been making utmost efforts to create conductive business environment through concluding market access initiatives and obtaining further tariff preferences for Pakistan's exports. We know that Pakistan has a lot of export potential, which need to be tapped in an efficient manner.
I would like to emphasize here the need for our exporters to strive to enhance trade between Pakistan and trading blocs, particularly with D-8, ECO, Shanghai and SAARC, of which Pakistan is a member. I understand, Pakistan is underperforming in tapping benefits of regional trade.
The Ministry of Commerce has been deeply involved in the ongoing initiatives to further trade ties with neighboring and regional countries. I believe that approving trade relations with these countries will have a very positive effect on the socio-economic development of Pakistan.
FPCCI has been extremely supportive in providing us with feedback from the business community regarding the problems they face in trading and we try to resolve them through every possible mean. I urge the business community to continue to play such a helpful role and assure FPCCI of the utmost support of the government in safeguarding the interest and Pakistan businessmen in our negotiations with foreign countries.
I commend the endeavors of the President FPCCI and his entire team on holding the Awards ceremony this year to encourage exporters and bringing out Export Trophy Souvenir. I extend my congratulations to the Awards winners and wish the business community all the success in serving the nation.