Minister for Industry and Commerce Gohar Ejaz Thursday said that the value of the dollar in the open market has decreased noticeably due to the efforts of the government, the 24NewsHD TV channel reported.
Addressing the media at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry, he said that solving the problems of the industrialists and traders is the top priority.
He said that the government was working on fixing the problems plaguing the industry.
He said the energy rates in Punjab are different than that in Sindh. The industry cannot function until the energy tariffs are made affordable.
Gohar Ejaz said that he had brought the energy minister to the meeting to go over the issues and work on resolving them.
An industry of $ 10 billion has been set up and ready to provide employment to 100 million people.
The smuggling done through the Afghan transit was worth $6.5billion when LCs were closed, he said adding that strict policies are in the making which will put an end to the smuggling He said to the industrialist that Pakistan’s exports other than textile and agriculture is only worth $5billion and we cannot pay off either the debt or the interest. We should unite and increase the exports.