ISLAMABAD: The Nati­onal Assembly Standing Committee on Commerce has expressed its dismay over the non-completion of ongoing projects for the last seven years.

The committee chaired by Naveed Qamar on Thursday asked the government to release allocated funds for Expo Centre Peshawar.

The Ministry of Commerce also briefed the committee on the proposed Public Sector Development Programme for 2022-23.

In addition to Expo Centre Peshawar and Expo Centre Quetta, the committee also discussed four new schemes — Faisalabad Garment City-II, Lahore Garment City Phase-II, integrated skill development scheme for export enhancement of textile and apparel industry and compliance outreach programme.

The committee decided to invite the Ministry of Fina­nce and Ministry of Planning for further consideration on the issuance of sufficient allocations and timely completion of these important schemes in the next meeting of the committee.

The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FPCCI) presented a set of proposals before the committee for increasing trade with Afghanistan.

Secretary Commerce Sualeh Ahmed Farooqi assured the committee that the ministry will consider the FPCCI proposals.

It also discussed in detail the simplification of the taxation system for enhancing exports to Afghanistan and the other Central Asian states.

The committee decided to invite the State Bank of Pakistan to its next meeting.

Published in Dawn, February 25th, 2022