'Economic revolution can be achieved through trade promotion’

Commerce minister promises govt will make all efforts to encourage growth

FAISALABAD: Commerce Minister Khurram Dastgir Khan has stated that the government strongly believes an economic revolution in the country can only be possible through trade promotion and to achieve this, it is extending all possible support to the export sector.

Addressing the members of the Pakistan Textile Exporters Association (PTEA), he said that the government is committed to expediting growth by using all available means.

Elaborating on the different aspects of the prime minister’s trade package, he said that the main objective of the package is to reduce the cost of production of export goods to attain a competitive edge in the international market.

He promised to take up the issue of disparity with Punjab industries in gas prices with the Ministry of Petroleum and to abolish custom duty and sales tax on coal import.

Dastgir also stressed on the need for international branding to explore new markets for Pakistani exports.

PTEA Chairman Ajmal Farooq said that the high prices of RLNG have increased the cost of production rendering the Punjab-based textile industry uncompetitive. To avoid the disadvantage with Punjab industries, gas tariff should be equal across the board and charging of UFG should also be abolished, he demanded.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 21^st, 2017.

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