Govt pursuing policy to improve trade environment, NA told

The National Assembly was informed today (Wednesday) that the government is pursuing a policy to improve the country's trade environment through fostering export sectors and contributing to overall economic development.

Responding to a question during the Question Hour in the House today, Parliamentary Secretary for Commerce Zulfiqar Ali Bhatti updated that the current Strategic Trade Policy Framework includes boosting Pakistan exports competitiveness through implementation of various interventions across all sectors. He said it is also focused on securing market access through Free Trade Agreements, Preferential Trade Agreements and strengthening trade links with the Central Asians Republics, Turkey, Iran, Europe and Russia.

The Parliamentary Secretary informed that the two new trade missions are being created at Darussalam, Tanzania and Maputo, Mozambique for enhancing trade related engagements in the region. He said a Memorandum of Understanding has been shared with the East African Community with the aim to conclude a Free Trade Agreement with Kenya and Rwanda and Kenya.

Answering another Question, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutti said bilateral trade volume between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia during the last fiscal year was 5.7 billion dollars. 

Replying to a question, Parliamentary Secretary for Commerce informed the House that his ministry has successfully secured duty free concession on more than 94 percent of Pakistani products in the UK after Brexit. 

Earlier, The National Assembly on Wednesday offered Fateha for the departed soul of Cenetral Secretary General of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Senator Taj Haider. On the request of Deputy Speaker Ghulam Mustafa Shah, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) lawmaker Major ® Tahir Iqbal led the Fateha. He prayed to Allah Almighty to rest the departed soul in eternal peace and grant courage to the bereaved family to bear the loss with equanimity.