Islamabad : The National Assembly was informed that the government is making concerted efforts to promote exports through facilitation of industrial sector by reducing its costs and rationalizing duties on raw materials.

Responding to a question during Question Hour, Parliamentary Secretary for Commerce Aliya Hamza Malik said that country’s exports crossed the figure of over 25 billion dollars last year due to prudent polices of the government. She said gas prices have been rationalized for export–oriented sectors. She said fifty percent relief in electricity tariff for small and medium enterprises was granted till June this year. She said customs duty of two percent on 1623 tariff lines has been removed.  She further said duties on 112 tariff lines have been reduced to implement the “Make in Pakistan Initiative”.

Aliya Hamza Malik said the government is also conducting intensive trade diplomacy and trying to obtain access to new markets for local traders and industry through Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA). She said the government launched Look Africa policy initiative to promote exports to non-traditional markets in the African region. She said Pakistan has gained market access to Indonesia under the Pakistan-Indonesia PTA. She said Pakistan is in the process of negotiating FTA’s with other countries including Thailand and Iran.

Responding to another question, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Parliamentary Affairs Baber Awan said the government has taken various steps for reviving economy, accelerating pace of economic growth and creating employment in the country.  He said the government took several special initiatives, which include construction package, textile package, Kamyab Jawan initiative, Employment generation through CPEC, and Pakistan’s Green Stimulus Package to strengthen economy. He said despite all constraints around 2.32 million jobs were created first year of the government.

The House has now been prorogued.