Staff Reporter Islamabad
President Dr. Arif Alvi has stressed the need of poverty alleviation and asked the private sector to come forward and address this major issue.
“Look Africa” policy will help a lot.”
The President was addressing as chief guest at EFP Exporters Recognition Awards 2020 ceremony held at Presidency the other day.
The President strongly endorsed that country’s journey towards prosperity continued in spite the Covid-19 pandemic.
He said that exporters have played a pivotal role in economic growth and earning foreign exchange.
Pakistan’s smart lockdown strategy successfully combated Coronavirus and, by the grace of Almighty, we became among nations which were least affected by the pandemic.
Dr. Alvi said that there is a great potential in trade and tourism in the country. We need to further enhance our exports to create a trade balance.
The Employers Federation can play the pivotal role in this regard, he said. Poverty alleviation, hospitality and tourism can be developed as a main stream industry.
Gilgit Baltistan attracted 15 lakh tourists the previous year in spite of Coronavirus, the President apprised.
Promotion of women entrepreneurship can be instrumental in this regard, he said. The private sector is encouraged to participate in women empowerment initiatives, the President added.
In his concluding remarks, Dr. Arif Alvi pointed out that there was a great potential of bilateral trade with central Asian countries, especially Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. He urged the exporters to explore new markets and enhance product range.
Amazon is in Pakistan now and the business community can make full use of it, the president exclaimed.
Abdul Razzaq Dawood, Advisor to Prime Minister for Commerce, Textile and Investment, who was the guest of honor, said that tariff rationalization has resulted in increase in exports.
He advised the exporters to enhance product range for local as well as the global markets. Import duties on raw material were rationalized and in some cases brought to zero, he said.
The Advisor for Commerce apprised that rationalizing tariffs has ensured ease of doing business in the country.
He apprised that many of industrial raw materials are being imported on zero-rated basis.
Diversification in both, product range and geographic perspective are needed. The Government is there to support any initiative from business community, he added.
