ISLAMABAD, July 13: Increase in exports is a major mechanism to drive the economy, earn foreign exchange and generate employment, said Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz while chairing a meeting to review the proposals for Trade Policy 2007-08 at the PM's House on Friday.

The prime minister said a number of incentives have been given in the budget 2007-08 to promote industrial, agricultural and services sectors.

The government is also focusing on skills development and on reducing the cost of doing business to achieve the target of $40-45 billion exports by 2013.

The PM said the initiatives taken under the National Trade Corridor Plan to simplify procedures, reduce clearing time at ports, airports and borders and to reduce end to end delivery time for goods has increased the competitiveness of our products, thus increasing the exports.

The prime minister said the world is moving from geo-politics to geo-economics and the government is focusing on economic diplomacy to get better market access abroad.

“We are vigorously pursuing signing of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with a number of countries to get a level-playing field for our products, the prime minister added.

He said it was important to build brands, work on the existing strengths and create competitive advantage internationally.

The trade policy, he said, should promote national brands to increase export of value-added goods.

He said that the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) should pursue an aggressive marketing strategy with a focused approach to diversify and increase exports.

The policy should emphasise both upon intermediate and long-term plans to develop consistency and achieve the desired export targets and sustained economic development, he added.

The prime minister said besides improving the quality of products for existing markets, the policy needs to cater to the needs and demands of new markets.

He said that the trade policy should facilitate all areas of manufacturing sector with a view to producing quality goods for both local and international market to strengthen our economy.

Secretary Commerce made a presentation about the proposals received by various ministries/divisions to be incorporated in the trade policy.—PPI