PM Shehbaz says govt to resolve issues faced by business community

KARACHI: Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday said government is making efforts to resolve all issues faced by the business community and industry through consultation with all stakeholders, ARY News reported.

As per details, PM Shehbaz stressed upon the formulation of a comprehensive export policy and assured that the present government would make every effort to facilitate the exporters, traders, industrialists, and businessmen.

He said that port city of Karachi had always been a gateway and home to exporters, traders and entrepreneurs that always served as a backbone for the national economy.

He was addressing at Karachi Chamber of Commerce (KCCI) Export Trophy Awards ceremony.

The prime minister said that Karachi always held the place of main hub for revenues generation for the country and underlined that Pakistan required extensive efforts for boosting its exports by setting up industries and utilization of modern techniques to compete at the global market.

The export quality must be competitive at global market, he added. He also appreciated the contribution of exporters and industrialists for country’s economy and said that despite difficulties, they made relentless efforts to increase exports.

Sindh Governor Kamran Tissori, Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, federal ministers, provincial ministers, parliamentarians, office bearers of Karachi Chamber of Commerce and relevant authorities were present during the ceremony.

The prime minister also observed that when compared with the neighbouring countries with regard to booming industries and exports, they still lagged behind in this race.

Enumerating various factors of the past, he said they required very serious deliberations to evaluate the factors including the successes, failures of the past governments and lack of modern techniques, and issues faced by the industrial sector etc.

“With mere blame game, they will not get anything concrete as it would only cause damage and result in wastage of time. There should be a frank discussion as to how the challenges faced by the industry can be mitigated by the government by facilitating them,” he added.

The prime minister viewed the price of power and gas as vital factors behind the industrial development.

He said the country was blessed with natural resources and said this year, the country would produce a bumper crop as according to estimates, the cotton production could reach up to 10 million bales.

“Pakistan is blessed with natural resources and brilliant minds, but it cannot get place among the comity of nations if they keep on promoting rental businesses,” he said and stressed upon increase in production and setting up industries, that would take the country on path of rapid progress.

The prime minister expressed the optimism that with restructuring, collective hard work and the government’s sincere efforts, they would be able to put the country on track of progress and prosperity.

He also hoped that the Interim government and the upcoming government would take these initiatives forward.

The prime minister also emphasised upon resolution of supply of water for Karachi and said that the federal and provincial governments were making efforts in this regard. He felicitated the trade community and exporters for showing success in the export sector.