Govt committed to facilitating business community: President Alvi

ISLAMABAD: President Dr. Arif Alvi has said the federal government had the responsibility to facilitate traders and businessmen and reduce their problems, mostly relating to administrative hurdles.

Addressing at the International Rawal Expo Virtual Conference organized by Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industries today, President Alvi said the current global situation proffered the nation an opportunity to invest in emerging technologies, diversity of the economy, cost-reduction and enhance sales.

He further said that smart lockdown strategy, Ehsaas cash emergency program, and the prudent response of the general public helped reduce the economic impact of the COVID-19 epidemic.

The federal government was in action to improve the yields of cotton, wheat and rice, however, he stressed an effective strategy by producers as well for increased marketing.

He said textiles and rice being the top-level exports could become the main driver of growth in the country’s overall exports with value-addition.

The president believed that Pakistan’s economic potential and dividends could be reaped through a system in place that provided ease-of-doing-business. He also stressed the importance of a fair dealing system between traders and buyers for economic stability.

President Alvi said it was imperative for the business community to maintain a link with commercial counselors abroad through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to support sort out issues related to tariffs.

He said that the government was trying to focus on boosting Pakistan’s industrial capacity through joint ventures in priority areas, relocation of labor-intensive export-led industry, SMEs collaboration and enhancement of vocational training capacity.

The preisent urged the trade bodies to come up with a three-year roadmap for industrialization and export sector strategy before the government; only bashing was not a solution.

He expressed the confidence that the 10-day Expo would give the stakeholders a platform to explore the promising opportunities in the markets of Pakistan.