Pakistani products: government striving for greater EU market access, says Fahim

Commerce Minister Amin Fahim said here on Saturday that the government was making all-out efforts for getting market access to the European Union (EU) and the President, the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister in their visits to different countries had raised the issue of greater market access for Pakistani products.
"Market access to the European Union is a matter of time; with or without Indian support, we hope to get it," Amin Fahim told members of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) at the inauguration ceremony of first Advisory Centre for technology upgradation in industries at the Lahore Chamber.
LCCI president Shahzad Ali Malik, senior vice-president Mohammad Arshad, vice-president Sohail Azhar, Iftikhar Ali Malik, Misbahur Rehman, Muzaffar Ali, Abdul Basit, Aftab Ahmad Vohra, Manzar Shamim, Federal Secretary Commerce Zafar Mehmood and Convenor of LCCI Standing Committee Fazal Ahmed also spoke on the occasion.
The minister said that there must be national approach and the government and the private sector both need to work together to overcome economic challenges. He assured the members that the government would take on board all stakeholders while preparing new policies. On new trade policy, he said that all chambers would be taken on board before finalising the policy.
The Commerce Minister expressed satisfaction over achievement of export target in 2010-11 and said that the export growth momentum would be maintained. About Indo-Pak talks, he said that both India and Pakistan had agreed to carry forward the dialogue process in a constructive and peaceful manner.
On Trade Ordinance, Commerce Secretary Zafar Mehmood said that the matter was lying with National Assembly Standing Committee on Commerce. The Ministry of Commerce would have no objection if the committee recommended restoration of previous system of retiring one-third members every year.
LCCI President Shahzad said that technology upgradation is a continuous process, as local industries are facing stiff competition in international market place and, to meet these objectives, establishment of Advisory Centre for Technology upgradation, in collaboration with TUSDEC was a step in right direction. He said that Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry is determined to put in its best efforts in every possible manner while playing its due role as one of the key stakeholders of the economy. He said that LCCI is keen to bring noticeable improvement in exports competitiveness which can become a strong base for revival of national economy. Advisory Centre for Technology Upgradation in Industries can become one such element which can help Pakistan attain economic sovereignty, he added.
He said that technology today plays a vital role in helping businesses to constantly move up and in providing a multi-prolonged strategy for maximising opportunities. He added that the fact remains that technology upgradation is the only way to improve the quality and cost competitiveness. In order to survive, grow and win, the industrial sector will have to continuously infuse the latest technology tools in their production processes and marketing and management functions to cut cost, gain efficiency and consistency, he said.
Convenor of LCCI Standing Committee Technology Promotion, Fazal Ahmad said that the Advisory Centre for Technology upgradation in industries is the first such organised initiative in the country to fill the big gap and vital need of technological up gradation of industries. This centre, he said, would provide effective advisory services including the agro-based units to bring a change in real terms. It would interact with industry, public sector R&D organisations, university experts and the government sector to achieve the desired objectives of strengthening national economy through technological upgradation program, he added. In the first phase, the LCCI would focus on exporting and exportable industries subsequently other areas would be tackled for technological up gradation, he said.
Earlier, Amin Fahim inaugurated the Advisory Centre for Technology Upgradation in Industries, while the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Technology Upgradation and Skill Development Council (Tusdec) for co-operation. The Minister appreciated the initiative and said it would improve linkages that will strengthen the economy.