Lost footing: Exports are steadily falling, says PBIF chief
Says pushing exports to $50 billion is not difficult if steps are taken in the right direction
KARACHI:
Pakistan Businessmen and Intellectuals Forum (PBIF) President Mian Zahid Hussain said on Tuesday that exports from Pakistan are steadily falling, hurting the confidence of investors, hitting foreign exchange reserves and renewing fear of losing markets. Exports are stagnant since the last few years due to lack of action, making current year’s export target of $27.5 billion difficult to achieve, he said, while speaking to the business community. Hussain, who has also served as minister for Information Technology (Sindh), said that pushing exports to $50 billion is not difficult if steps are taken in the right direction. “Some elements think that spending billions on useless exhibitions, foreign tours and flowery statements can make a difference, which is a deception,” he said. “Those assigned for enhancing exports would waste money and later blame energy crisis to absolve them of responsibility.”
Published in The Express Tribune, April 22nd, 2015.
Pakistan Businessmen and Intellectuals Forum (PBIF) President Mian Zahid Hussain said on Tuesday that exports from Pakistan are steadily falling, hurting the confidence of investors, hitting foreign exchange reserves and renewing fear of losing markets. Exports are stagnant since the last few years due to lack of action, making current year’s export target of $27.5 billion difficult to achieve, he said, while speaking to the business community. Hussain, who has also served as minister for Information Technology (Sindh), said that pushing exports to $50 billion is not difficult if steps are taken in the right direction. “Some elements think that spending billions on useless exhibitions, foreign tours and flowery statements can make a difference, which is a deception,” he said. “Those assigned for enhancing exports would waste money and later blame energy crisis to absolve them of responsibility.”
Published in The Express Tribune, April 22nd, 2015.