May 17, 2002	Friday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 4, 1423

ISLAMABAD, May 16: The government was working to formulate the Afghan Transit Trade (ATT) policy in such a way that interests of local manufacturers were not hurt.

Commerce Minister Abdul Razak Dawood stated this while presiding over a meeting under Emerging Electronics Products Assembly Scheme (EEPAS), here on Thursday.

He said that government was fully aware of the apprehensions of local industry towards ATT and would uphold protective measures to allow its flourishing.

Dawood said that the tariff restructuring and rationalization would help in boosting electronic products industry in the country.

The minister said that the tariff rationalization not only help in expanding of the industry but also create greater employment opportunities.

He was of the view that it was an appropriate time to further rationalize the tariff structure for the industry to make their products qualitative and internationally competitive.

During the meeting the participants discussed the tariff duties on TV and other EEPAS. Different slabs of duty structure were proposed in the meeting.

It was also discussed to take various measures at proper forum for banning import of secondhand monitors.

The meeting proposed that all national banks be persuaded to launch instalment schemes for household electronic appliances for low-paid people.