August 17, 2006	Thursday	Rajab 21, 1427

ISLAMABAD, Aug 16: The Engineering Development Board (EDB) has called upon the industry to improve its competitiveness in order to boost its exports. EDB Chief Executive Officer Imtiaz Rastgar presiding over a meeting of the board here on Wednesday said that the reduction of duties on raw materials was the first step in this direction. He also underlined the importance of small-scale industry in the progress of the country.

He said that the board had surveyed the SMEs in engineering sector in various cities which needed government support at least in availability of raw material at reasonable prices.

Mr Rastgar criticised the steel policy of the country and said that many foreign investors had failed and packed up as it revolved around Pakistan Steel Mills.