Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan, on Thursday visited the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) to engage with the business community on challenges and opportunities in Pakistan’s export sector.
Jam Kamal was accompanied by Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif and Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb. The visit emphasized the government’s commitment to boosting exports and strengthening partnerships with exporters, said a press release issued here.
The SCCI President lauded recent government initiatives, such as reductions in the policy rate and ongoing work on the Duty Drawback of Local Taxes and Levies (DLTL). He also called for further reforms to sustain export growth and facilitate the business community.
Key demands included permanent SCCI representation on the Export Development Fund (EDF) board and urgent approval for the release of EDF funds.
The chamber emphasized Sialkot’s significant contributions to exports but lamented limited access to EDF resources.
Specific requests included, approval of bulletproof vehicles for foreign delegates, EDF support for a Combined Effluent
Treatment Plant and solar energy initiatives for Sialkot’s tannery zone and establishment of a business facilitation Center with a Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) desk in Sialkot.
Elimination of the infrastructure cess imposed by provinces, a matter already advocated by the Commerce Minister and resolution of challenges in the Export Processing Zones and reinstatement of the Fixed Tax Regime (FTR).
Jam Kamal Khan expressed gratitude to the Defence Minister for facilitating the visit, allowing direct interaction with Sialkot’s business community.
Highlighting the government’s collective resolve to support exports, he acknowledged existing challenges and reiterated his ministry’s focus on transitioning from a revenue-centric to an economy-centric approach.
“The entire cabinet, agreed on the importance of export growth. While methods may differ due to constraints, we are committed to meeting business community needs,” he stated.—APP
