FPCCI supports export target

KARACHI: The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) has termed teh newly announced trade policy encouraging and assured support to the government to achieve export target of $35 billion up to 2018, a statement said on Wednesday.

President FPCCI Abdul Rauf Alam said export target can be achieved if refunds to the tune of 210 billion rupees are released, tax system is simplified and uninterrupted supply of electricity and gas is ensured. "Problems of export sector should be resolved so that their cost of doing business can come down to make their products competitive in the international market," Alam said.

Moreover, he said Pakistan should explore new markets with special focus in Iran and Afghanistan as the country can export rice, beef and other things worth one billion dollars while exports to Afghanistan can be increased by fifty percent.

He said  the value addition should be preferred over export of raw material while innovation and research should be focused. Alam also called upon improvement in infrastructure, skill development, labour productivity usage of technology coupled with market research as diversification and sophistication of exports will pay dividends.