ISLAMABAD- President of Pakistan, Dr Arif Alvi has said that ease of doing business and certain other initiatives had boosted exporters’ confidence. The president termed the ‘Look Africa’ policy as a good initiative and underlined to expand exports to these countries, besides further enhancing diplomatic ties with the African countries.
Addressing Employers’ Federation of Pakistan(EFP) Exporters Recognition Awards 2020 ceremony on Monday at the Aiwan e Sadr, the president reiterated government’s zero tolerance policy towards corrupt practices, and said it was the dishonest leadership that had always robbed a society of its resources and ruined it.
On the occasion, PM’s advisor Abdul Razak Dawood, Ismail Suttar, President EFP, Zaki Ahmed Khan, Vice President, Members of Board of Directors EFP, members and representatives of Award Winning Companies also attended the ceremony.
President Dr Arif Alvi observed that corrupt practices, besides negatively impacting different fibers of a society, also created uncertainty in the business sector. “He stressed upon the need to encourage women entrepreneurs in the export sector, highlighting the wider scope for the womenfolk to play their role in the country’s progress”, he added.
The president said that Central Asian Republics, including Tajikistan and Uzbekistan were eager to expand business avenues with Pakistan through regional connectivity. He also termed peace and stability in Afghanistan as vital for regional economic cooperation and connectivity. The government’s smart lockdown policy during Covid-19 pandemic proved very successful when compared with the decisions taken by the Indian government. The industries were kept open during the period as the government had compassion for the plight of poor people.
The president said the government had supported the feeble segments of society with Ehsaas programme during the pandemic by extending about Rs 200 billion to them. Expressing his confidence in the intellectual capabilities of the nation, the president said “I have firm confidence that Pakistan will move on the road to tremendous progress.’
The president also lauded efforts of the exporters and Advisor to Prime Minister on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood for taking measures to increase the country’s exports.
On the occasion, PM’s advisor Abdul Razak Dawood said that due to government’s policies, Faisalabad city was now bustling with trade and business activities and even there was shortage of labour.
He said the government provided a level playing field to all exporters with different business friendly policies including tariff rationalization and waiver of duties on various raw materials which helped in reducing the cost of doing business.
Dawood, appreciating the role played by the exporters’ community in strengthening the economy, stressed upon them to diversify their products and items by exploring new regions.
Ismail Suttar, President EFP, thanked the President of Pakistan, Dr. Arif Alvi, and Advisor to Prime Minister on Commerce and Investment, Abdul Razak Dawood, for gracing the ceremony. He said that this was the first time that such a grand convention was organized to pay homage to the exporters and without charging any fee.
Suttar announced that in the next event focus will be on SMEs from different sectors. He also shared briefs on the various projects of the EFP Economic Council, such as Domestic Tourism, Minerals to Chemicals, Electricity Markets, Look Africa, Fisheries, and GSP Plus.
Zaki Ahmed Khan, Vice President, EFP handed over awards to the recipients of Top 100 Exporters list provided by Pakistan Revenue Automation Private Limited (PRAL) and verified by the Ministry of Commerce and the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP).
