10 August 2004	Tuesday	23 Jamadi-us-Saani 1425

ISLAMABAD, Aug 9: Prime Minister Ch Shujaat Hussain on Monday said the governments of the future would be judged on the basis of their performance, particularly their economic achievements.

Addressing the 27th FPCCI Export Trophy Awards ceremony, the prime minister said the economic achievements were commendable and added that consistency in policies would bring economic stability in the country. He referred to the agriculture package announced recently and said it would bring a turnaround in the agriculture sector.

He assured the business community that the government would make all efforts to boost exports. Mr Hussain said an easy visa policy for businessmen from the Saarc region would promote trade and business and benefit the people.

Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz on the occasion said the country had made significant progress in exports, but added it was not enough and a 'quantum jump' was required.

He urged the business community to fully support the Trade Policy 2004-05 and help the country even exceed from the export target of $12.3 billion. He said Pakistan was currently only exporting its commodities to seven countries, but added that in the wake of challenges ahead these needed to be expanded and new regions be included.

He said Pakistan had recently joined Asean's Regional Forum and the business community needed to expand their scope to new markets. He urged them to add Japan, China and other countries in the region to their destinations and take full advantage of the pacts signed by the government.

Mr Aziz said the government had announced a number of incentives for the business community, adding the tariff on raw material has been reduced significantly to make the exports competitive.

He said unless the quality of the finished goods was improved and markets and products were diversified, no significant achievement could be made. Mr Aziz said the exports to GDP ratio of Pakistan was 13 per cent, whereas in Sri Lanka it was 27pc, Indonesia 32pc, Thailand 56 per cent and in Malaysia it was 96 per cent. - APP