Special Economic Zones being established under CPEC: PM

KARACHI: A group of leading industrial exporters of the country met Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif in Karachi on Thursday.

The exporters lauded the economic turnaround achieved under the leadership of the prime minister and said historic foreign exchange reserves coupled with improved security situation in the country has reinforced confidence of the exporters. The economic turnaround achieved due to the prudent and investor friendly policies of the present government is indeed commendable, the exporters said.

 

The exporters apprised the prime minister that they are rendering great efforts for rise in country's exports in the wake of robust economic growth and support of the government. However, due to certain international factors, exports targets could not be achieved. The exporters highlighted certain proposals on the rationalization of cost of doing business during the meeting.

 

Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif said that boosting the exports of the country is his top priority. Economic growth and exports are interlinked; we cannot afford to ignore our exports, the Prime Minister Sharif added. The prime minister said that government will give short, medium and long term relief to exporters so that no segment is missed to achieve our growth targets. 

 

The exporters appreciated the decision of importing LNG by the government. The way present government gripped the energy crisis in the country is remarkable; we are endeavouring to reap more benefits due to zero loadshedding for the industrial sector, the exporters said.

 

Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif said that exports are future of our economy. Our vision is to spread dividends of economic turnaround among all the stakeholders in an equitable manner; increased economic activities and ease of doing business will result in reduction in unemployment and alleviation of poverty from the country, the Prime Minister said.

 

We have significantly improved railway infrastructure across the country; this improved infrastructure will provide added relief to the exporters in terms of reduction in freight charges, said the Prime Minister. The landmark CPEC will further complement the benefits of improved railway infrastructure, the Prime Minister added.

 

Under the CPEC, Special Economic Zones are being established that will be an ideal platform for facilitating the country's exporters, the Prime Minister stated.

 

The Prime Minister directed Ministry of Commerce to make arrangements for duty free import of additional five million bales of cotton in the wake of low cotton exports of the country. The Prime Minister further directed that a proposal in this regard be immediately be presented before the Cabinet for approval.

 

Governor Sindh Dr. Ishratul Ibad and CM Sindh Mr. Murad Ali Shah were also present during the meeting.