Pakistan fails to exploit agri resources, say exporters

Minister insists govt making all-out efforts for resolution of exporters’ issues

LAHORE:

Though Pakistan is rich in agriculture and livestock, which are pivotal pillars of strong economic growth for any nation, it certainly could not exploit the abundance of these resources, said exporters of fresh fruits, vegetables and halal meat.

During a meeting arranged by the Punjab Board of Investment and Trade (PBIT), Provincial Minister for Industries and Commerce Mian Aslam Iqbal highlighted that the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan was to increase exports by resolving the issues of exporters on a priority basis as the government would not allow any obstacles in the process.

“All the problems of exporters will be solved and the federal government will also be contacted to resolve issues related to the Centre,” Iqbal said while giving assurance to the exporters.

He added that the PBIT was not simply acting as a facilitator, it was also working with the approach of bringing all the stakeholders within and outside of the government together to boost national income by promoting a business-friendly environment.

The PBIT arranged this meeting as part of a larger dialogue held in March to remove the impediments faced by the exporters across different sectors. The meeting held detailed discussions on numerous issues faced by the exporters of fruits, vegetables and halal meat with the government departments concerned and gave several proposals for their amicable resolution.

PBIT CEO Dr Erfa Iqbal said that continued interaction with the stakeholders showed that the government was determined to resolve the issues of international traders to fulfill the dream of economic independence.

The exporters expressed satisfaction and optimism over the initiative taken by the PBIT to gather the government departments concerned on one platform to remove the barriers in the way of exports.

Participants of the meeting emphasised that the establishment of a dry port in Sargodha was the need of the hour and also called for uniformity in the procedure for value assessment in GD form, along with highlighting the problems in acquiring the offload shipment e-form and the variation in weighing.

Moreover, halal meat exporters demanded the strict implementation of rules for the slaughtering of animals, removal of quarantine fee, control over all diseases, provision of free medicines to farmers and reduction in shipment time.

Taking all the stakeholders into confidence, Iqbal stated that the government was fully aware of the problems being encountered by the exporters and was making all-out efforts for their early solution.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 8^th, 2021.

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