Commerce secretary soothes exporters

Says traders to be provided level playing field against India.

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Secretary Com­merce Zafar Mehmood on Fri­day assured domestic exporters and business community of pro­viding a level playing field against India while implementing the free trade regime. He stated this during a visit to the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry office.

Zafar Mehmood also discussed trade related issues for promoting local exports with members of the business community. Speaking on the occasion, he said that private sector is the engine of economic growth and the government will not implement the free trade regime without ensuring a level playing field for its exporters.

He informed the gathering that Pakistan will get GSP Plus status very soon for its exports to the European Union. Reusltantly 80% of local items will get duty free access to EU markets. He said that the government has already started various training programmes for the capacity building of exporters, especially for women entrepreneurs.

Talking about the negative list, the Federal Secretary said that all decisions would be made keeping in view national interests as WTO trading arrangements also provide for trade defence measures in case of unfair trade practices or any threat to the local industry.

He said that the Ministry of Commerce was in the process to publish sector-wise brochures regarding trade with India in which all information regarding size of markets and trends of exportable items will be included.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 31^st, 2012.