News
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Pakistan to get GSP Plus access in EU by 2014: Gilani
KARACHI: Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said on Wednesday that by 2014, Pakistan was expecting to qualify and take benefit from the European Union (EU)’s import preferential treatment under the GSP Plus regime allowing duty free access to all export products.
This he said while speaking at the launching of 6th Expo Pakistan 2011 at the Governor’s House. Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan, Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Commerce Minister Makhdoom Amin Fahim, Overseas Pakistanis Minister Dr Farooq Sattar, Port and Shipping Minister Babar Khan Ghouri and President FPCCI were also present on the occasion. Gilani said that the government had made concerted efforts to acquire better market access for Pakistani products to the world markets.
He said: “In this regard, the president and I have been emphasising Pakistan needs ‘trade not aid’. He pointed out that the European Union’s offer at the WTO to Pakistan for duty free access to goods from 75 tariff lines was just one example of such endeavours of the present government. Referring to efforts for market access, he said Pakistan had already entered into preferential and free trade agreements with China, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Iran, and Mauritius. “I would strongly urge our exporters to take full advantage of the market access opportunities of the bilateral agreements”, he opined.
Talking of negotiations with India, he said the government was also making concerted efforts to enhance regional trade with its neighbours. “Recently held trade talks between India and Pakistan are going in a positive direction,” he noted. The prime minister pointed out that the Ministry of Commerce had announced a three-year Strategic Trade Policy Framework to provide a long-term policy framework of sustainable businesses, which would enable them to plan expansion and growth.
He asked the government agencies to simplify procedures and enhance transparency to create a business-friendly environment in the country. “I am happy to note that meaningful headway has been made in this regard by the people’s government”, he added.
MQM delegation assures support: A delegation of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) led by Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis Dr Farooq Sattar called on Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani at the Governor’s House here Wednesday and reiterated their support for the government for the sake of democracy in the country. Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan, Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah and federal ministers were also present on the occasion. The prime minister appreciated the courageous statement of MQM leader Altaf Hussain in which he extended full support to the government to strengthen the democracy, adding that his party (MQM) would foil all designs against the democratic dispensation.
MQM supported the prime minister’s assertion that in case political opponents decided to resign from the parliament, the government would hold bye-elections. The delegation also asserted that any attempt to undermine the democratic process would not be allowed to succeed. Gilani said that the MQM is a reality and the government respected the mandate given to the party by the electorate.
The delegation members said that they would extend full cooperation to the provincial government for improving law and order in Karachi. They said the government and the MQM would evolve a common strategy to mitigate the sufferings of the rain-hit victims.
MQM’s return to help bring normalcy to city: PM Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani on Wednesday welcomed MQM decision to re-join the government and said it would help bring normalcy to the city. Karachi plays a very important role in the country’s economy, the prime minister said during a call-on by Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan and Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah on his arrival here at the Governor’s House. The matters relating to law and order situation in the metropolis were discussed at the meeting. The chief minister informed the prime minister that the law and order situation had greatly improved. He assured that the provincial government would continue action without any discrimination against those involved in disrupting peace and security in the city and they would be brought to justice. app
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk