QUETTA, Sept 30: The FPCCI has demanded of the government to include products manufacturing in Balochistan for export to Afghanistan to encourage industries in the province.

Talking to Dawn on Tuesday, Pakistan Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industries vice-president Sardar Mohammad Ali Jogezai said at present Pakistan was exporting various items to Afghanistan, including edible oil, vegetable ghee, rice, electric goods, cement, fertilizer and many items, which were being purchased from Punjab, Sindh and NWFP industries ignoring Balochistan’s products.

“Balochistan is also producing vegetable ghee, edible oil, rice, cement and other exportable items as many industries in Quetta, Hub and Winder are working round-the-clock,” he said and added that for encouraging industrial sector in the province the Ministry of Commerce should include Balochistan’s products in the export list.

Mr Jogezai said different industries were exporting their products directly to Afghanistan ignoring their dealers and sole agents in Balochistan who have played very important role in introducing these products, especially edible items.

The FPCCI vice-president suggested that these industries should export their products through these dealers. “It would discourage smuggling and export of these products would increase many fold,” Mr Jogezai said.

Meanwhile the newly-elected president of Balochistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), Haji Ghulam Sarwar urged the federal government to extend maximum incentives and facilities to the industrial units set up in Balochistan. He said that another important issue was non-availability of storing facilities at both the entering and exiting border points — Chamman and Taftan. “There is no warehouses and storing facilities at Taftan and Chamman for exporters,” Haji Sarwar said and added that due to non-availability of this facility exporters were facing great problems. He urged of the government to provide this facility at both the points.

Haji Sarwar said that a BCCI delegation would visit Islamabad to discuss important issues of Balochistan with the Ministry of Commerce and other authorities concerned.