ISLAMABAD, April 13: The annual meeting of Trade Policy Advisory Council held here on Thursday and discussed in detail issues relating to formulation of new trade policy for 2006-07.
Commerce Minister Humayun Akhtar Khan presided over the meeting. Textile Minister Mushtaq Ali Cheema also attended the meeting.
All the stakeholders including relevant federal and provincial ministries, business chambers, trade bodies and various companies were invited to take their input for the formulation of trade policy for the next fiscal.
The commerce minister while speaking on the occasion said the rationale of meeting was to get collective wisdom of all the stakeholders and to generate new ideas for the next trade policy.
He urged the participants to highlight the key issues and their solutions so that they might be fully considered and incorporated in trade policy to boost exports and facilitate business.
The representatives of business community stressed upon exploring ways and means to bring down the cost of doing business.
They suggested reduction in utility charges, provision of cheap energy, lowering of taxes and duties and providing level-playing field to make their businesses competitive in the international market.
Leather industry representatives demanded ban on export of wet-blue leather. At this the commerce minister said that 15 per cent duty had already been imposed but its complete ban on its export was not possible.
Representatives of Balochistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry expressed their concern on the rising prices of cement and steel which were causing a setback to the construction industry.
They also emphasized on improved marketing of apple, date, marble and granite.
The minister assured the Balochistan Chamber that apple treatment plant would soon be established in Quetta whereas date processing plant was going to be set up in Turbat to enhance export of these two commodities.
Representatives of the poultry industry stated that they were suffering heavy losses due to bird flu scare.
Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry asked for establishing cold chain in the province to preserve fruits and vegetables for domestic consumption as well as for export purpose.
Northern Areas Chamber of Commerce and Industry demanded zero-rated import of LPG to meet fuel needs of these areas.
Farmers association was of the view that massive awareness campaign on quality and standards, intellectual property rights, sanitary and its phytosanitary issues should be launched.
They also demanded import of cheap farm machinery through Wagha border.
Some other business representatives also demanded the import of raw materials, chemicals and machinery from India through Wagha border.
Upon this, the commerce minister said that government was already negotiating trade with India at Joint Study Group level as well as at Composite Dialogue level.
The Commerce Minister appreciated the rice association for their export performance, which has crossed $1 billion.
The minister also apprised the participants that agricultural processing zones were being established for Sargodha and Multan regions.
Representative of the garment knit wear industry also gave vent to their concerns and demanded government support.
The industrialists expressed their concern over frequent and piecemeal increases in energy prices.
They were of the opinion that increase in energy prices should be once on annual basis so that they might calculate their figures at the start of the year and do business accordingly.—APP
