ISLAMABAD, Nov 07 (EPI): Mr. Atif Ikram Sheikh, President FPCCI, has urged the government to announce a comprehensive, effective and multi-sectoral winter package for trade and industry to mitigate and overcome challenges in industrial production. The industries are in a dire need of facilitation, incentivization and cost-cutting measures to meet export targets through competitiveness in the export markets, he added.<\/p>\n
Mr. Atif Ikram Sheikh apprised that the primary demand of FPCCI is Rs. 20 \/ kWh electricity tariff for export-oriented industries as, at the moment, the biggest contributor to the cost of production and cost of doing business in Pakistan is electricity tariff; which also happens to be the highest in the region and, also the highest, as compared to competitors in the export markets.<\/p>\n
Mr. Atif Ikram Sheikh cautioned that any conditional eligibility criteria tied to incremental gas consumption, as was the case last year, would unfairly exclude and neglect many export-oriented industries. Last year, several units did not have gas supply connections; which made it impossible for them to meet this conditionality, he explained.<\/p>\n
Therefore, FPCCI demands that the government should offer the winter package without conditions \u2013 ensuring equal access to all export-oriented industries. This inclusive and transparent approach will boost exports, employment and economic growth. We urge the government to prioritize the well-being of all export industries; rather than creating unnecessary discrepancies and exclusions, he added.<\/p>\n
Mr. Atif Ikram Sheikh assured the government that trade and industry remains committed to collaborating with the government to promote Pakistan’s economic growth and export competitiveness. He elaborated that it is a win-win scenario; and, support to industries will help the country achieve substantial export growth; import substitution; shore up foreign exchange reserves (FER); stabilize rupee-dollar parity and keep current account deficit (CAD) in check.<\/p>\n
FPCCI President also reiterated the apex body\u2019s demands of renegotiating power purchase agreements (PPAs) of all independent power producers (IPPs) on take-and-pay basis; revitalizing privatization process of PIA; bringing key policy rate in single-digits and taking far-sighted macroeconomic policy measures for consistency in policies and promoting ease of doing business. We, at FPCCI, have a futuristic, but practical, Vision 2030 to achieve exports target of $100 billion; and, we need adequate governmental support to materialize it, he added.<\/p>\n
Ends-Exact Press International-<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"