March 30, 2007	Friday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 10, 1428

KARACHI, March 29: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said here on Thursday that the government was improving communication, infrastructure, reforming investment regulations and facilitating export industry to accelerate economic development in the country.

He said this while inaugurating the third Expo Pakistan 2007 at the Expo Centre on Thursday evening in Karachi, whose main objective is to promote Pakistan's exports and project the country's soft image in the international market.

Later talking to newsmen, the Prime Minister said it was “very encouraging” that standard of Pakistani products was improving and the country was gaining new markets all over the world.He also visited several stalls set up by the companies representing different sectors of economy and industry.A large number of national manufacturers and exhibitors from seventy countries of the world are participating in the mega event.

Earlier, the Prime Minister inaugurated the show by cutting a ribbon. He was informed that more than 200 Pakistani companies were displaying a wide rang of products at the exhibition.Shaukat Aziz said that production will also be enhanced as country's exports would increase with the passage of time. “This will create more jobs and foster prosperity in the country,” he noted.

He said that the government was pursuing a policy of creating market access for Pakistani products in US, European Union and other country for boosting exports.“We are also negotiating free trade agreements (FTAs) with different countries. We have concluded FTA with China and other countries to open doors for our goods in these markets,” he opined.He said that the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), the host of Expo Pakistan, was trying to arrange meetings of Pakistani exporters with the foreign buyers so that more products are exported from Pakistan.

He said that private sector has an important role in boosting country's exports as they are the producers of exportable items. “We are trying to help them,” he added.

Talking of the various steps taken for improving competitiveness and productivity, Shaukat Aziz said that the government has also improved working at ports and simplified procedures to ensure smooth flow of exports to different destinations and exporters should not feel difficulties.

He pointed out that exports have played a vital role in the development of developed countries. Export will also play a key role in Pakistan's development as well, he added. —Agencies