Free Trade in South Asia is Preference: Secretary Commerce

Lahore: The Ministry of Commerce has pursued business friendly policy towards South Asia and promotion of Free Trade in South Asia is a preferred agenda of the Government.

This was stated by Mr. Zafar Mehmood, Federal Secretary of Commerce in a meeting with a delegation of SAARCChamber of Commerce & Industry led by its President Annisul Huq from Bangladesh on 23rd July 2010.

The delegation included Tariq Sayeed, Immediate Past President, Iftikhar Ali Malik, Vice President (Pakistan Chapter) and Secretary General, Iqbal Tabish.

Mr. Zafar Mehmood said that Human Resource Development and skilled labour was key to economic growth and suggested to the SAARC CCI leadership to take compatible measures to further promote regional economic cooperation. He requested SAARC CCI to undertake a regional study and share information to derive benefits from the experience of other countries. He applauded the role of SAARC CCI during the tenure of Mr. Sayeed and expressed confidence that SAARC CCI under the leadership of Bangladesh will add value to it.

Mr. Annisul Huq, President SAARC CCI thanked the Ministry of Commerce for approval of fund of Rs. 240 million for strengthening and refurbishment of SAARC CCI Permanent Headquarters Buildingat Islamabad and regarded it as an sincere endeavour of the Government of Pakistan towards institutional building of SAARC CCI as the host country. He also presented a set of policy recommendations in respect of South Asia for inclusion in the forthcoming Trade Policy of Pakistan.

Mr. Tariq Sayeed reiterated the need for freedom of business and requested for revisiting policies towards trade bodies in the country.

Mr. Iftikhar Ali Malik while citing his Research Centre under aegis of Guard Group, which was involved in production of hybrid-seeds, said that there was need to establish research-based institutions to increase the production of essential crops in the country, which would help save national exchequer as import-substitution measures.