KARACHI: President Mamnoon Hussain on Friday called upon the automotive industry to offer more choices and quality products to consumers at affordable prices.

He was addressing the inaugural session of the Pakistan Auto Show 2015 organised by Pakistan Association of Auto­mobile Parts and Acc­e­ssories Manufacturers (Paapam).

“We cannot afford to ignore the fact that the automotive industry has emerged to be a role model of development and growth for other sectors,” the president said.

“However, there is a need to see why consumers are resorting to imported used vehicles and why can’t local manufacturers give the consumers an affordable quality car.

“These are important questions which the industry should ponder over while moving forward,” he said, while referring to the case when manufacturers of locally-produced motorcycles were compelled to bring down their cost due to easy availability of low-cost Chinese bikes.

He further sought increased indigenisation of critical value-added parts, saying this was the only way to reduce prices.

The president said the government is working to provide required support to the auto industry through adequate policy measures and the industry should respond by overcoming the challenges to offer choice and value for money to the consumer.

“I am confident that the new auto policy would open up an environment for increased competition by attracting new investors in this potential sector,” he said.

The president also ack­nowledged that the auto sector contributes significantly to the economy of Pakistan in terms of taxes, duties and employment creation.

Published in Dawn March 7th , 2015

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