Pakistan pursuing access to EU markets: Zardari
ISLAMABAD, Oct 20 (APP)- President Asif Ali Zardari said on Wednesday that the government was vigorously pursuing the progress recently made in the European Union’s foreign ministers meeting for the grant of market access of Pakistani goods to the European trade markets. The President urged the business community to gear up efforts and add more value to the manufactured goods for optimum utilization of the trade concessions that will be offered by the European Union.
The duty free exports to the EU countries will not only boost Pakistan’s exports but also enable the country to generate economic and employment opportunities to look after the people initially affected by war against militancy and by the recent devastating floods.
He said this while talking to Chairman of All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) Ejaz Gohar, who called on him at the Aiwan-e-Sadr.
The President while appreciating the European Union (EU) for agreeing to grant trade concessions said it would help Pakistan’s economy recover from immense stress caused by unprecedented floods across the country. He said,” we have also stressed the US government for early legislation on establishment of ROZs to help Pakistan revive the hard hit economy and create employment opportunities in war and flood affected areas.
Chairman All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) Mr. Ejaz Gohar offered to make financial investment for setting up a crop assessment body to assess the quality of crops and their export potential through satellite imaging. The President appreciated the offer and advised the government to pursue the idea.
Chairman APTMA said that access to Pakistani textiles in the Eurpoean markets will rejuvenate national economy by adding 220 billion rupees to it and generate large scale new employment. He appreciated President’s personal efforts in this regard.
The APTMA Chairman apprised the President about the steps being taken by the textile industry to boost Pakistan’s exports into the EU and the US markets and also the various problems being faced by the industry.
The President during the meeting said that textile was the key sector of the country’s economy and assured that the government would work for resolving all the problems of the textile industry on priority basis.
Rana Muhammad Farooq Saeed Khan, Federal Minister for Textile and Industry was also present during the meeting.
Courtesy www.app.com.pk
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