The United States has assured to include four flood-hit districts of Pakistan in the proposed legislation of the Reconstruction Opportunity Zones (ROZs) to qualify Pakistani products for zero duty in US market. Commerce Secretary Zafar Mahmood said this here on Saturday while briefing the media on the three years performance of the Ministry of Commerce, in the presence of the reappointed Commerce Minister, Amin Fahim.
He said that the proposed ROZs legislation, with inclusion of flood affected areas, would be moved again in the House of Representatives. The ROZs were proposed in 2003 by Pakistan to promote economic activity in the war against terrorism affected border areas along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border and in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). After the devastating October 8, 2005 earthquake, the US had also agreed to the Pakistan''s proposal to include affected areas of Azad Kashmir and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in ROZs.
Zafar said: "ROZs bill was previously passed by the US lower house but was held up due to the global economic crisis, and US even withheld implementation on FTA signed with South Korea, Panama and Columbia". He said as US was initiating FTA with South Korea after the revival of the global economy and changing situation "we are hopeful that ROZs bill would be approved soon".
He said that Afghan-Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement (APTTA) had been enforced from February 12. However, Afghan-Pakistan Transit Trade Co-ordination Authority meeting was underway in federal capital to examine the issues like delay in adoption of Tracking System, Bio-Metric System and Financial Guarantees. He said that APTTA was signed after consulting the Federal Board of Revenue and Ministry of Interior.
He said that regional conferences had been planned to assess the performance of trade officers deputed abroad and they would be called back if their performance was found unsatisfactory.
Regarding retired employees at top positions of subsidiary organisations of the ministry, he said that they would follow the orders of the Supreme Court. He said the TCP board would be reconstituted and more members from the private sector would be inducted. Commerce Minister Amin Fahim said that Pakistan would have access to 17 routes through Afghanistan to promote exports to Central Asian Republics and beyond under the APTTA.
"Exports Strategy celebrating 2011 as Year of Exports would be tabled before upcoming meeting of the Federal Cabinet," he said, adding that the $22 billion target of exports for ongoing year would be achieved. He said that in the month of December exports of the country recorded highest mark of $2.32 billion and in January 2011 exports had been estimated at $2.2 billion.
Fahim said that unilateral Concessions on 75 items had been obtained from European Union (EU) and concession from China on 284 items had been achieved. He said that some Rs 5 billion claims of the exporters were pending for payment and ministry would approach finance ministry for early release of required funds for disposal of such claims.
After approval of legislation on Pakistan Institute of Fashion & Design from national assembly standing committee, the matter is now with Senate standing committee," Fahim said, adding that by completing legislation process Pakistan Institute of Fashion Design would get degree awarding status. The decision has also been taken that 6 new colleges of fashion and design will be opened at Quetta, Peshawar, Multan, Faisalabad, Hala and Islamabad.
He said that Commerce Ministry was focusing to target export of mangoes to USA, European Union, Japan and Australia. "After the enforcement of APATTA, Commerce Ministry will facilitate private sector to access exports market of Afghanistan, Central Asia and beyond," the Minister added.