This is stated by Makhdoom Amin Fahim in his maiden press conference after taking oath in the new Federal Cabinet. — File Photo

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Commerce, Makhdoom Amin Fahim said on Saturday that seventeen routes through Afghanistan have been identified with sound trucks tracking system for exports of Pakistani goods which would benefit Pakistan's economy and its exports.

This was stated by Makhdoom Amin Fahim in his maiden press conference after taking oath in the new Federal Cabinet here.

The minister highlighted the performance of his ministry and its allied departments.

He informed the media that highest ever exports were achieved in 2009-10. He said that under the three years trade policy six per cent target was achieved in the first year while, in the second year the Ministry of Commerce achieved 9 per cent exports against the target of 8.6 per cent and this year we have crossed the 24 percent against the export target of 10 per cent.

Fahim expressed the hope that Pakistan would cross US $ 22 billion during the current financial year.

He said that European Union (EU) has announced unilateral tariff concessions on the 75 items for Pakistan and decided that it would put up the case before World Trade Organization (WTO) for approval.

The Minister hoped that this would help Pakistan to penetrate European markets for the Pakistani products for the benefit of the country.

He added that negotiations with China are also in progress for tariff line on 284 items for Pakistani goods.

The minister said that Ministry of Commerce has taken a number of steps for the market access to Pakistani products including mangoes.

The minister said that negotiations with USA are also in progress to include flood-affected areas in the Reconstruction Opportunity Zones (ZOZs) to benefit them.

He informed that Pakistan Institute of Fashion Design (PIFD) is being upgraded to university level with the establishment of six new fashion and design colleges at Islamabad, Peshawar, Quetta, Multan  Faisalabad and  Hala soon.

He was flanked by Secretary Commerce Zafar Mehmood and the heads of allied departments of the Ministry of Commerce.

Makhdoom Amin Fahim also lauded the performance of the officers and staff of the Ministry of Commerce.

Follow Dawn Business on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook for insights on business, finance and tech from Pakistan and across the world.

Opinion

Editorial

Kurram atrocity
Updated 22 Nov, 2024

Kurram atrocity

It would be a monumental mistake for the state to continue ignoring the violence in Kurram.
Persistent grip
22 Nov, 2024

Persistent grip

PAKISTAN has now registered 50 polio cases this year. We all saw it coming and yet there was nothing we could do to...
Green transport
22 Nov, 2024

Green transport

THE government has taken a commendable step by announcing a New Energy Vehicle policy aiming to ensure that by 2030,...
Military option
Updated 21 Nov, 2024

Military option

While restoring peace is essential, addressing Balochistan’s socioeconomic deprivation is equally important.
HIV/AIDS disaster
21 Nov, 2024

HIV/AIDS disaster

A TORTUROUS sense of déjà vu is attached to the latest health fiasco at Multan’s Nishtar Hospital. The largest...
Dubious pardon
21 Nov, 2024

Dubious pardon

IT is disturbing how a crime as grave as custodial death has culminated in an out-of-court ‘settlement’. The...