LAHORE, Dec 15: The government will make efforts to exploit the country’s export potential by laying greater emphasis on regional trade.

This was stated by Commerce Minister Humayun Akhtar while talking to reporters at the Lahore Press Club on Sunday.

He said the export target of different items was being raised for the current fiscal. “We are also trying to venture into new markets to help our exporters increase their trade.”

The minister said he would not spare any effort to restore investors’ confidence. “We want to revive the confidence of the local businessmen and investors so that they start investing in this country. Foreign investment will follow the local investment.”

For this purpose, the minister intends to start meeting businessmen, investors and traders from 23rd of this month. The first such meeting is expected to be held in Karachi.

He also promised to help solve the problems of the cottage industry, saying he would take up the issue of charging of commercial power rates by Wapda from the cottage industry with the ministry concerned.

He said the government would not reverse economic policies of the previous (military) government. “We will continue to follow the current policies because those had helped the country recover from the economic crisis faced by it a few years back.”

He said the prime minister had instructed the cabinet members to release the details of their assets to bring transparency and accountability in the functioning of the government.