SIALKOT: Adviser to the Prime Minster on Commerce and Investment Abdul Razak Dawood on Saturday said Pakistan must focus on enhancing regional trade which remains very low and must be exploited.

Addressing a meeting of exporters at the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), he said the government had successfully completed its agenda of economic stability. Calling for increase in regional trade, he gave the example of the European Union where regional trade was 90 per cent.

The meeting was presided over by SCCI president Qaisar Iqbal Baryar. Senior vice president Khurram Aslam Butt and former presidents of the chamber also attended the meeting.

Mr Dawood shared details of the agreements and MoUs concluded during Prime Minister Imran Khan’s recent visit to Uzbekistan, saying it was a successful visit. He informed the meeting that 71 agreements were signed between the two countries.

Invites exporters to take part in the single-country exhibition to be held in Tashkent soon

The adviser said that a single-country exhibition would be held in Tashkent soon and urged the Sialkot exporters to participate in it. Uzbekistan has good relations with CIS countries and this opportunity must be availed, he added.

On the occasion, Mr Dawood said DLTL issues will be resolved. “I have a one-point agenda meeting with the PM to set export target for the next year. Three members from each chamber of commerce will attend the meeting,” he said. The adviser added that he will discuss issues regarding Exim Bank with the finance minister.

He congratulated Sialkot exporters for increasing their exports during the past few years and further appreciated the e-commerce trainings in the area.

He added that economic and industrial boost was on government’s top agenda. He assured Sialkot exporters that all problems of the industrial sector would be resolved amicably. “The Commerce Ministry is actively engaging with all relevant stakeholders to understand the issues related to trade and investment in current challenging situation,” he added.

Published in Dawn, July 18th, 2021