Talking to reporters on Sunday here he said that Commercial Sections can play an instrumental role in developing and maintaining export markets, attracting inward foreign investment and catering an image of the home country in international market. The present set up of commercial sections of Pakistan is not performing up to mark as the officers and under the prevailing circumstances there is a great need of making commercial sections more effective for bringing significant boom in export of the country he said.
He urged upon the government to take drastic steps for setting up EXIM Bank (Export import bank of Pakistan) on top priority basis to facilitate the export sector of the country in terms of financing and other related issues. The EXIM bank should be given practical shape in the larger interest of export sector the country he said. Sialkot is a export hub and earning US 2 billion dollars through its export and strengthening national exchequer despite of certain problems confronted by the local business community he pointed out.
Keeping in view the contribution and importance of Sialkot government should take step for setting up Special Economic Zone in Sialkot to facilitate the business community of Gujrat, Gujranwala, Sialkot and many other adjoining areas he said. The SCCI President suggested that Sialkot Export Processing Zone (SEPZ) should be given the status of Special Economic Zone (SEZ) to facilitate business community of Gujrat, Gujranwala and Sialkot. The Commerce Ministry in collaboration with Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority should introduce standards and ensure compliance of local vendor industry supplying raw material to export sector of the country he suggested.
Majid said the main reason for import of foreign made raw material is either lack of availability or sub-standard quality produced by the local vendors. Pakistan's export he said cannot experience a quantum jump unless until raw materials are produced locally with international quality standards. The SMEs who at certain time to use the local has made materials have to compromise on quality and face negative feedback from international market which also brings a bad name to Pakistan he said. He said that with rapidly changing economy and market dynamics, the world is now moving to stiffer standards which would ultimately affect the exports of the country if not complied with. The only way out is the revamp the whole supply chain structure and to encourage vendors to produce quality raw materials and comply with standards by PSQCA as a preemptive and proactive measures. The SCCI President further added that this also one reason for ever declining exports of the country as we are slowly losing the status of "High Quality Produce" to other countries that are actively pursuing to snatch market from Pakistan. It is high time that we rethink our strategies and work for the better future of the industry and create sustainable systems and promoting "Made in Pakistan" in true spirit.
He suggested that government should take initiatives for setting up sector specific Export Promotion Councils in the country. The proposed councils should be established for all the export sectors to enhance their exports and these councils should work under Commerce Ministry for the betterment of export industry he added.
The SCCI President further added that government should provide special incentives to encourage the export of high priority sectors like textile and clothing, surgical and dental instruments, leather products, sports goods, footwear, gems and jewelry and furniture. Similarly potential sectors like surgical implants, composite products, light engineering products, printing and packing, sports wear, fitness apparel, gloves and musical instruments etc., needed special focus and facilities to perform optimally, he added.
He emphasized the need of setting up "Marketing Intelligence Cell" at Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) for providing assistance to the manufacturers and exporters in obtaining information pertaining to international demands for commodities, competitive price index, expanding markets and other essential trends. The cell would also serve to disseminate updated information to the exporters on export markets and technology to facilitate diversification of exports Majid added. Majid proposed that government should provide interest free loan on 10 percent of the total exports for the import of new technology and enabling exporters to upgrade their industrial units for enhancing production inefficiencies.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2017