PM Imran says nothing to worry about rupee depreciation, situation will improve soon

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan Friday said the government was taking all out measures to ensure the ease of doing business in the country and attract foreign investors which would help address the issues of current account deficit and rupee-dollar disparity through enhanced inflows of dollars.

Addressing the inauguration ceremony of vehicles manufacturing plant being set up under the joint venture of JW of Pakistan and Forland from China, the prime minister said for the first time, the first ever manufacturing plant was being set up in Pakistan.

He said earlier, the companies had established their assembling plants but the new joint venture would manufacture the multiple vehicles locally that would initially give jobs to 5,000 Pakistanis and the number would grow to 45,000 in future.

Responding to the dollar appreciation, the prime minister said it was temporary phenomenon owing to increased demand of the dollar and re-adjustment; however, the situation would improve soon.

He congratulated Afridi family for bringing in investment of $900 million to Pakistan under a joint venture with one of the largest car manufacturing companies in the world.

He said the major issue confronting the country was current account deficit that had swelled from $2.5 billion in 2013 to $18.5 billion in 2018. He said there was nothing to worry about in rupee devaluation as the investment coming to Pakistan would address the problem.

The prime minister said this project would further bring in the revenue by exporting their products.

He said for the first time, the government had sought technology transfer from China and the installation of car manufacturing plant was the transfer of the very technology.

He said so far Pakistan had been purchasing the commodities from abroad far more that its exports that had created current account deficit besides closing down the local industry.

He said during his Malaysian visit, the government also invited investment for Pakistan citing huge potential in the country.

He told the gathering that the government had eased sending remittances for overseas Pakistanis and also resolved to curb illegal means of money transfer.

He said currently $10 billion were being laundered annually from Pakistan.

In his address, Deputy Director of Hunan Provincial Commercial Department Gan Xuelian said China was advocating Belt and Road plan and building and economic corridor with Pakistan to promote cooperation.