RAWALPINDI, Nov 30: Exports are the life-line of our economy and the government and private sector should work on emergency basis to prevail over the effects of September 11 tragedy, said Sohail A Sethi, President Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, on Friday.

Speaking at a meeting with the Export Promotion Bureau vice chairman president, Ejaz Qureshi, he said that exporters are passing through a tough time. Foreign orders have been cancelled, international airlines have stopped their flights to Pakistan, unavailability of cargo service to Pakistan, war risk charges levied on exports by shipping lines must be removed or it should be paid from SMDF fund.

He also stressed for exploring new and non-traditional markets, lowered customs tariff rate, introduction of non- traditional products in foreign markets, publicity of Pakistani products in foreign markets, image building abroad and announcement of awards for the business community by the government.

Mr Sohail called for coordination between Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), Export Processing Zone Authority (EPZA), and Board of Investment (BOI), as all these organizations are working for the same cause.

Vice-Chairman, EPB, Ejaz Ahmed Qureshi said the government is working hard to remove the ill-effects of September, 11 attacks on United States.

He was speaking at the meeting with members of RCC&I. He assured them of solving the problems of cargo exporters and arrange meetings of exporter with the PIA chairman. He said that the government is in contact with all the embassies to remove restrictions on issuance of visas.

A member of poultry industry said it can fulfil poultry demands of the whole Middle East, if the government provided them with cargo service.

He informed that at times they had to forego orders due to unavailability of cargo services. He appreciated the decision of lowering mark up rate of export finance scheme from 10 to 8 per cent.

Mr Qureshi assured the members of his full cooperation. He disclosed major administrative changes in the EPB and stressed on good quality of product to compete in the international markets.