July 24, 2003	Thursday	Jumadi-ul-Awwal 23, 1424

KARACHI, July 23: Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) has demanded that like boilers and medical equipment the import of second-hand vehicles should also be allowed.

Vice-President FPCCI and Incharge WTO resources centre of the federation M.A. Jabbar talking to APP on Wednesday said that the trade policy had been formulated keeping in mind the world trade scenario in context of World Trade Organization (WTO).

He said the policy has spoken of social sector compliances and other issues. It has also called for fully autonomy to National Tariff Commission.

The government has also indicated the exploring liberalization of service sector like in other countries which would help the service sector of Pakistan to share opportunities through joint ventures and second party service providers.

The trade policy is driven out of present impressive export figures of more than $11 billion, he observed.

The policy is meant to create awareness about WTO compliances of the country so that our merchandise qualifies as environmental-friendly and quality standard annexed product, Jabbar said.

It was also based on strategy to reduce cost of doing business, increasing market share, social and other compliances, capacity building of exporters and more correctly considering the need to respond to regional demand.

He said that for the first time trade policy was based on considerations for doing business in political economy of world trading system.

The trade policy unfolds public private partnership for improving environment upgradation of industries and services, establishment of agriculture zones and Export Processing Zones (EPZs).

He expressed satisfaction over that commerce minister had also indicated upgradation of industrial clusters/sites for industrialization.

He said that the incentives for ginners to pay premium would improve quality of cotton.

The policy also provides payments for re-location of textile machines from USA to changing situation. It provides increased retention percentage of exports by 100 percentage as well which could be used by exporters for helping the exports.—APP