24 January 2004	Saturday	01 Zilhaj 1424

KARACHI, Jan 23: The Chairman, Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), Tariq Ikram, has said that Pakistan is enhancing its exports to desirable levels and they would hit 17pc of GDP this year.

He was speaking as chief guest at the session of Pakistan's Export Strategy, at MARCON 2004 organized under the auspices of Marketing Association of Pakistan (MAP) at a hotel here on Friday.

He said because of the efforts of exporters and of the EPB, Pakistan has been able to strengthen the exporters' capability and capacity. Tariq Ikram stated that Pakistan's product portfolio was limited to a few categories but this portfolio has been diversified into 10 sectors, identified as IT, fisheries, fruits and vegetables, gems and jewellery, selected engineering goods, chemicals, pharmaceutical, etc.

For geographic expansion, the EPB chief said, Pakistan selected Africa and Eastern Europe and that their exports to Africa went up to 44pc and to Eastern Europe 37pc.

Tariq Ikram stressed the need of capitalizing on friendly relations with countries such as Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, China and Kenya.-APP