Government is trying its best to provide wider access to the Pakistani exporters in the US, China and Indonesian markets so that they could enhance export volume to these potential markets. However in this connection all stakeholders must be consulted before signing any FTR (Free Trade Agreement) and PTA (Preferential Trade Agreement), said Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FCCI) president Syed Zia Alumdar Hussain. He had an exclusive sitting with Razzaq Dawood Adviser to Prime Minister on Trade, Commerce and Investment.
Syed Zia appreciated the govt efforts to explore the new opportunities to enhance export volume but said before finalisation of any FTA or PTA, each and every detail of agreement must be shared with local businessmen to fully exploit this facility. He told that Indonesia has recently relaxed duties on various Pakistani products. "The same facility has also be offered to Indonesia", he told and added that only businessmen could make this agreement in favour of Pakistan by maintaining strategic balance between the imports and exports.
Regarding trade with US, he told that it is surprising that there is no Pakistani Consulate General in New York. He said govt must appoint appropriate person for this important post who could play a pivotal role in enhancing Pakistani export for potential US market. He told that apart from foreign issues, the domestic policies must also be streamlined and implemented in its true spirit. He complained that inflated gas bills have once again been issued which will have a negative impact on the manufacturing sector. He also identify that no tangible progress has been witnessed in the payment of DTRE refund claims. He told that only Rs 12 Billion have been paid so far while the issue of promissory note is still lying unimplemented.
He told that Pakistan is importing huge quantity of edible oil for its domestic market but the government is unable to increase domestic production of cooking oil. "We must increase area under cultivation of sunflower and other oil seeds", he said and told that sunflower was sown over 8000 acre of land which has been trimmed to 3000 acres this year. "It shows non seriousness of government on import substitution", he added.