FAISALABAD: Federal Minister for Commerce Khurram Dastgir said on Monday Pakistan would establish a banking system with Iran in a couple of weeks to open new opportunities for Pakistani businessmen.

He urged exporters to focus on enhancing exports with the European Union markets taking benefit of the GSP Plus which would remain intact till 2023.

At a gathering of businessmen and exporters, the minister said mid-term review of GSP plus was also scheduled the next year but it did not mean that the facility was being withdrawn. He said Pakistan had failed to fully exploit the facility and that there was a huge untapped potential of trade with eastern EU countries.

He said the present government had recruited 13 commercial officers on merit and such officers had been deputed in various potential countries and the business community should remain in touch with them.

The minister said Pakistan had inked free trade agreements with China, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Indonesia which were underutilised. He said commercial officer from TDAP or the commerce ministry could be posted for their guidance.

He said federal government had already approved the proposal of banking system with Iran and work on it would be started soon.

Mr Dastgir said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had successfully restored peace, stabilised the financial affairs of the government and foreign reserves, switched over to historically lowest interest rate and resolved the energy crisis.

He said the prices of electricity and gas would start decreasing during this year while the construction of motorway up to Karachi would ensure safe and secure connectivity between all parts of the country.

Lyallpur Museum: Board of Directors of the Lyallpur Museum has decided to invite experts of archaeology, textile, besides history students to seek their help to improve the museum and make it more attractive for the visitors.

This was decided in a meeting presided over by Commissioner Momin Agha on Monday.

During the BoD meeting the participants suggested that timing of the museum should be increased and it should be kept open on Sunday as well to attract more visitors.

The participants also considered online display of the museum articles, and decided that students of Punjab University archaeology department, Government College University Faisalabad (GCUF) textile institute officials and history students should be invited to seek their opinion for making improvements in the museum.

Students of the private and state-run institutions will also be invited for special visits to the museum.

The commissioner said regular meeting of the BoD should be ensured and suggestions of the members would be welcome.

Published in Dawn, February 21st, 2017