Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Friday said Pakistan was on course to meet the $14 billion export target, but had the potential of increasing these to $28 billion annually in next five years. "Countries with far less resources are way ahead of us... Lets not rest on our laurels and show that we are a serious player," he told a gathering at the foundation stone laying ceremony of an Export Display Centre of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI). He said Pakistan had made excellent progress with the effort of the private sector and the enabling environment provided by the government, but pointed that the achievements were still below the potential the country possessed.
He said the private sector in the country was very creative and innovative and added that it needed to be more competitive to meet the challenges of globalisation.
Prime Minister Aziz called for value-addition and inclusion of engineering goods in its products. "Pakistan also needs to expand and penetrate new markets for its exportable goods," he said.
"If our bed-linen is a good buy in the USA and Europe, why not Japan, China and other countries?" he said.
He said with increasing incomes, the markets were rapidly changing and Pakistani exporters could benefit through diversification, reliability, quality and competitiveness of their products.
SHARE IN TRADE: The prime minister pointed out that Pakistan''s share in world trade was minuscule, despite the richness of its human capital and potential.
The government, he said, would continue to create an enabling environment, but it was up to the private sector to meet the challenges.
He said Pakistan was one of the world''s largest milk producers, but only a few companies had recently moved into this business.
"There is nothing wrong with the ''Gawala'' (milkman) culture, but the world is moving rapidly and we have to keep pace," he added.
"The only constant in this world is change and we cannot rest on our laurels of the past," he warned.
He said the government was spending billions on improving the communication infrastructure, but at the same time there was a need to put in place systems and processes, where things are not delayed.
Aziz recalled the recent inauguration of the automated customs clearing at Karachi and said there was a need to do away with the traditional slow moving system of paperwork.
The government, he said, had also done a lot to improve the country''s image abroad and was focussing on 12 key countries to share with them Pakistan''s culture, its enlightened and moderate people and its potential as a trading partner.
MORE INVESTORS: "We have received more investors in the past six months than in the past five years," he told the applauding crowd.
"Investors today feel comfortable in dealing with us," he said and referred to the country''s launch of the Euro bond and the Sukuk bond, both of which were oversubscribed.
He said the Export Promotion Bureau was also being revamped and modernised to make it more vibrant and to work as a true market facilitation agency. He said the EPB was country''s front line for exports and needs to cater to the demands of the day.
The premier agreed with the proposal of having Chairman ICCI on the Board of CDA and called for having new industrial estates towards the Motorway.
He appreciated the initiative of the ICCI to build a modern Export Display Centre and said the government would assist the project.
Earlier, he unveiled the plaque of the Rs 120 million six-storied display centre, which will house exhibits from all the provinces of the country and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz also distributed Excellence Awards amongst the outstanding businessmen.
President ICCI Tariq Sadiq , in his opening remarks said the business community fully supports the policies of President Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz.
"We identify completely with his views to shun extremism, follow moderation and have peaceful co-existence with neighbours... we want stability, good law and order for business to prosper," he added.
He stressed need of diversifying the country''s exports and called for concentration on quality value-added commodities, especially the agro-based products, processed fruits, vegetables and flowers.
Tariq Sadiq urged the government to bring down the high cost of operation by rationalising electricity and gas tariffs and reducing surcharges on petroleum products.
He said the business community would greatly contribute towards government''s efforts.
He also called for reducing the GST to 12.5 percent, demanded levying of tax on agriculture sector and to broaden the tax net to 1.5 million taxpayers.
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