PTI govt to reduce duties on raw material in budget

PM aide says farmers and businessmen will be given more relief

MULTAN: Duties on raw material imports would be reduced in the upcoming national budget and more relief would be provided to farmers and the business community, said Adviser to Prime Minister on Commerce, Textile, Industries and Production Abdul Razak Dawood.

Speaking at a ceremony at the Industrial Estate Area Multan, the adviser said the government was committed to turning the economy around and stressed that products manufactured in Pakistan must also be exported to earn foreign exchange.

He highlighted the government’s desire to facilitate investors so they could expand their business, uplift exports and contribute massively to the national economy. “The PTI government believes in providing incentives and enhancing the ease of doing business in a conducive environment,” he remarked. “Operations of multinational companies are important in Pakistan due to their strict safety standards, quality control and professional approach.”

Terming Multan a hub of agriculture, Dawood pointed out that there was enormous potential and immense opportunities for investment.

He pointed out that despite a sharp fall in potato prices, farmers engaged with PepsiCo and received double prices for their potato production. He stressed that if the company wanted to export its products to Afghanistan and other countries, the government would endorse its plan.

Speaking on the occasion, PepsiCo CEO Mike Spanos said the company always prioritised Pakistan due to a large youth population. He said he was impressed by the people and food in Pakistan, adding that he would try to convince people to invest in the country.

In a separate event, Dawood said all possible resources would be utilised for the revival of cotton sector.

During a visit to the Cotton Research Institute Punjab, he outlined that efforts were under way to enhance cotton production and achieve the target of 15 million bales next year.

The adviser urged growers to produce contamination-free cotton in order to fetch better prices in the international market. “Government is revising policies so maximum cotton sowing can be ensured in the country and growers do not shift to other crops,” he emphasised.

Replying to a question, the adviser said the government was well aware of the problems of the growers and assured them that all their issues would be resolved soon.

Cotton Research Institute Director Dr Saghir said the Punjab government was taking concrete steps to achieve a better cotton produce. He added that high temperature and shortage of water were the two main factors which reduced the produce.

“The Punjab government is focused on the availability of certified cotton seeds, pesticides, training of growers as well as clean cotton picking,” he stressed.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 3^rd, 2019.

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