KARACHI, Oct 27: Commerce Minister Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar on Monday said that exports recorded a 20 per cent growth in the last three months and hope this trend will continue in coming months.

Addressing a press conference after inaugurating 4th Expo Pakistan--2008, organised by Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) at the Expo Centre Karachi, he said that the government was trying to bring down the cost of doing business and this would help in boosting country’s exports.

“I think that the growth in exports will not only be sustained, but it is likely to grow with the passage of time. Power availability will be improved next month and rupee will gain strength with the inflow of funds from ‘Friends of Pakistan’ and international donors,” he said.

He, however, noted that 10 to 20 per cent growth was not sufficient to make a giant leap in country’s exports. “We need a higher growth rate to achieve maximum exports,” he added.

The commerce minister pointed out that the government was considering holding Expo Pakistan twice in a year on fixed dates to attract more buyers and boost exports.—APP