KARACHI, Sep 8 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Thursday said boosting exports was his top priority and said the government would give short, medium and long term relief to the exporters so that no segment misses achieving the growth targets.
Talking to a group of leading industrial exporters of the
country here during his day-long visit to the port city, the Prime
Minister said economic growth and exports were interlinked. “We
cannot afford to ignore our exports,” he added.
The exporters lauded the economic turnaround achieved under
the leadership of the Prime Minister and said historic foreign
exchange reserves coupled with improved security situation in the
country has reinforced confidence of the exporters, a statement
from the PM’s media office said.
The economic turnaround achieved due to the prudent and
investor friendly policies of the present government was indeed
commendable, the exporters said.
They apprised the Prime Minister that they were rendering
great efforts for rise in country’s exports in the wake of robust
economic growth and support of the government.
However, he said due to certain international factors,
export targets could not be achieved. The exporters highlighted
certain proposals on rationalization of cost of doing business
during the meeting.
Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif said exports were the
future of economy. “Our vision is to spread dividends of economic
turnaround among all the stakeholders in an equitable manner.”
He said increase in economic activities and ease of doing
business would result in reduction of unemployment and alleviation
of poverty from the country.
“We have significantly improved railways infrastructure
across the country; this improved infrastructure will provide
added relief to the exporters in terms of reduction in freight
charges,” the Prime Minister said.
He said the landmark CPEC project would further complement
the benefits of improved railways infrastructure. He said under
the CPEC, Special Economic Zones were being established and said
it would serve as an ideal platform for facilitating country’s
exporters.
The exporters appreciated the decision of importing LNG
by the government. They said the way the present government
gripped the energy crisis in the country was remarkable and
said they were endeavouring to reap more benefits due to zero
loadshedding for the industrial sector.
The Prime Minister directed Ministry of Commerce to make
arrangements for duty-free import of additional five million
bales of cotton in the wake of low cotton exports of the country.
The Prime Minister directed that a proposal in this regard
should be immediately presented before the Cabinet for approval.
Governor Sindh Dr. Ishratul Ibad and CM Sindh Murad Ali Shah
were also present during the meeting.
APP/ Hamza/VNS Karachi
