Government all set to boost exports: minister

LAHORE: Federal Commerce Minister Khurram Dastgir said on Tuesday that Pakistani trucks exporting goods to Central Asian States are now allowed to go without paying any duty to Afghan authorities after amendment in the Afghan-Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement (APTTA).

Previously Pakistani truckers paid duties to Afghan authorities on the basis of tonnage, the minister said, adding the government would establish Land Port Authority to operate Torkhum and Chaman borders on modern lines.

The new technologies would directly connect both ports with Karachi sea ports. Pakistan has made pre-finance arrangements with an international company for modern infrastructure development at both Torkhum and Chaman.

The minister was talking to the Lahore Economic Journalists Association (LEJA) members after the oath taking ceremony of the newly elected body at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) on Tuesday. The newly elected office bearers, President Sudhir Ch, Vice President Pervaiz-ul-Islam and others took the oath from the minister. Attendees included LCCI Senior Vice President Almas Hyder and Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry Vice President Rehman Azhar.

The minister termed the smooth orderly transition of LEJA office bearers as an example for Pakistani politicians as well.

Dastgir said that Pakistan signed the Convention of International Transport of Goods under cover of TIR Carnets (TIR Convention) of the United Nation (UN) two months ago after which Afghan government allowed Pakistani truckers to move their transit shipments without paying any duties.

The minister disclosed the government has decided zero rates on value-added exporting sector from the next financial year in order to get rid of the refund issue.

“Currently, the refund issue is adversely creating revenue constraints for the exporting sector and they are continually approaching the government authorities to release their refund claims as early as possible,” the minister added.

Announcing the incentives for the exporters in the forthcoming trade policy, Dastgir said the government would facilitate the exporters for branding, value-addition, lab testing and other facilities to boost exports.

For this Rs6 billion has been allocated. The government has devised the procedures to avail this facility by eliminating the role of the Ministry of Commerce and Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) and empower the State Bank of Pakistan to directly disburse the incentive to exporters.

These steps were taken to facilitate the exporters, the minister asserted.

Stressing the need to strengthen the agriculture sector to increase crop yield and reducing fertilisers and inputs intake, the minister said the government was ready to introduce two acts, Plant Breeders Rights Act, and National Plant and Safety Act.

These acts would help increase the required changes in the agriculture sector of Pakistan.

The minister called for a collective approach (federal and provincial governments) to promote the agriculture sector of Pakistan.

He said for improvised value chain technology induction was crucial for the agriculture sector.

The minister also informed the government would soon begin major consultations with all the business community and stakeholders to present Pakistan as a brand, globally.

He believed that Pakistan remerged in the last three years by combating terrorism and security and overcoming the energy crisis which boosted the trust of the world community in Pakistan.

Now international airlines have increased their flights, reconnecting Pakistanis with the world.  He said the government was not saying all issues were resolved; however, the largest issues have been resolved with public confidence.