CPEC will make Pakistan important state in region: Mamnoon

ISLAMABAD: President Mamnoon Hussain has said the positive economic indicators of the country had put Pakistan on path of progress and prosperity and it would soon become an important country of the region with the completion of CPEC.

The president was addressing the fourth achievement awards ceremony of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) at the Aiwan-e-Sadr.He said the government was working on major infrastructure development and energy projects under the CPEC and country’s economy was improving at a rapid pace.

He said all the economic indicators in the country had improved over the past three years and the fact has been acknowledged by several international organizations.The business community and trading bodies were playing a key role in strengthening the economy owing to the great turnaround shown by the prudent policies of the government.

He urged the industrialists and the exporters to look for new markets besides expanding into the conventional markets of Africa, Central Asia, Far East and Middle-East.He specifically mentioned the Central Asian markets and said there was lot of potential for Pakistan’s business to grow. He asked the representatives of exporters, industrialists and business community to seek remedial measures from the government departments which would facilitate them.

He also urged them to play their part in promoting tax culture in the country and asked them to pay regular taxes to generate more revenue and help strengthen country’s health, education and social sectors.

Speaking about Pakistan’s ties with its neighbours, the president said Pakistan desires good relations with all including India and the lingering dispute of Kashmir he added can never be put on the back-burner.

FPCCI President Abdul Rauf Alam thanked the president for handing over the achievement awards for the third time in a row and appreciated his commitment towards the business community of the country.The event was also attended by Punjab Governor Rafiq Rajwana, federal ministers, parliamentarians, ambassadors and members of the business community.