KARACHI, April 5: The Minister for State and Chairman Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), Tariq Ikram, on Saturday urged the multinational companies (MNCs) to boost their exports from the country.

In a meeting with the executive committee members of Overseas Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCC&I), the EPB chief asked the heads of MNCs to identify their problems to the government so that right incentives could be given for enhancing their export potential.

The chief executives of Abbott Laboratories, Unilever, Lu Biscuits, Glaxo SmithKline, Beecham and ICI present in the meeting identified some areas where exports could be enhanced.

They were of the opinion that tea, soaps, pharmaceuticals, confectionery and biscuits, chemicals, engineering goods and services were some of the areas which should be focussed for increasing exports.

However, they were of strong opinion that without bringing down cost of production and port handling charges the MNCs would not be able to enhance exports from the country and it was up to the government to ensure their competitiveness in the world market.

The CEOs of these MNCs also demanded the enforcement of intellectual property rights and deregulation of pharma industry. They said if a success story for their businesses was achieved many MNCs would look at Pakistan as a regional supply base.

There was strong demand for tariff rationalization, cut in energy charges and continued good governance for ensuring healthy and progressive business and industrial activity. It was noted that MNCs would be needing some time in converting themselves from import-oriented industry to exporting sector.

Tariq Ikram said that as the macroeconomic indicators were now very strong this would help increase business and investment activity in the country.

He said the MNCs were well known for running transparent management and in transfer of technology as well as creating job opportunity in the country but the time had come that they should lay emphasis on export sector.