Govt to provide level playing field to exporters: Gilani

KARACHI : Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said Saturday the government will ensure to provide a level playing field to all the exporters for enabling them to compete in international market. He was talking to a delegation of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) led by its President Tanvir Ahmed Sheikh at Governor House here. Sindh Governor Dr.Ishrat-ul- Ebad Khan, Caretaker Chief Minister Justice (Rtd) Abdul Qadir Halepota were also present on the occasion.
“We will try and ensure that a level playing field is provided to all our exporters in order to compete with countries such as China, India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh”, he said.
“We will also make all possible efforts to bolster our exports and all necessary steps shall be taken to facilitate the exporters Besides, concrete measures will be adopted to increase the confidence of foreign investors”, he added.
The Prime Minister called upon exporters’ leaders to improve the quality of their products so that Pakistan can venture into newer markets together with strengthening of its grip on existing ones.
“Special emphasis should be laid on the export of value- added products. It should also be your top most priority to make Pakistan an attractive market for foreign investors”, he opined.
He said the government will make all possible efforts and provide the required infrastructure and facilities to make Pakistan a preferred destination for foreign investment.
Gilani said the government was democratic in nature and participatory in character.”Hence we strongly believe in consultations and getting input from important stakeholders like your body, before making and implementing policies”, he declared.
He said although the expectations of people from this government are high, we must also keep in mind the gravity of unprecedented constitutional, security as well as economic challenges facing Pakistan.
He appreciated the role of FPCCI in serving as a platform for the business community of Pakistan to interact with the government on all issues concerning trade, commerce, internal and the international market.
He hoped that FPCCI will continue to serve as a “think tank” for fine tuning the government’s trade and business policies and to provide it with the latest business pulse for policy formulation.
“I would like to thank the entire business community especially your Body for its continuing role in the economic development of the country”, he said.
Prime Minister assured the delegation that all their concerns would be seriously and urgently addressed with special emphasis on the issue of multiplicity of control by various government agencies, need for a significant improvement in law and order.
He said a comprehensive policy will be formulated to ensure the setting up of new industries in order to generate employment opportunities.
Referring to the ongoing energy crisis in the country, the Prime Minister said this matter will by addressed with top priority. “ I have already announced certain measures in my inaugural policy speech in the National Assembly which has been endorsed by the Federal Cabinet in its very first meeting,” he added.
Talking of impending shortage of water, the Prime Minister said that the government intended to construct small dams in the short term and large dams in the long term.
Responding to the point raised by FPCCI delegation regarding the yawning trade gap, he said the government will initiate measures with the consultation of business community to control trade deficit.
Replying to a demand for using Thar coal which was equivalant in quality with that of Germany, Poland, Russia and China, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said he will ask the Ministry of Petroleum to pay immediate attention towards providing infrastructure facilities to reach Thar coal area.
On appreciation of business community on the policy of the government to take along all the political forces in the country, he he said the government was trying to create a political stability in the country to bring in new investment. We need your cooperation, support and guidance in this regard, the PM said.
Responding to a demand for creating a tri-partite board consisting of representatives of business community, bureaucracy and the government, he said the government will look into this issue.
Prime Minister Gilani said the government has announced the wheat support price to encourage procurement of grain from Sindh.