LAHORE - Federal Commerce Minister Khurram Dastgir Khan has said that Pakistan with an improved economic and political outlook has started regaining international investors’ confidence and the government was willing to work with and help all industries including the poultry industry to unlock their exports potential.
While speaking to foreign and local delegates and representatives of poultry industry at Pakistan Poultry Association’s international exhibition IPEX 2016, the minister said that the incidents of terrorism had seriously hurt Pakistan’s economy but with the situation very much in control now the country was able to regain the lost confidence of international businesses.
He said the participation of over 200 foreign delegates in the poultry industry’s show was evident of the fact that foreigners now feel safe to come here and explore business opportunities, and the country was ready to enter into next phase of economic development, growth and prosperity.
“Before 2016 we had nearly six blasts in a week and now we hear of no such incidents for weeks gone by. It shows Pakistan has made consistent progress towards achievement of stable security. This has helped the country to reintegrate both politically and economically well with the international community,” the commerce minister said.
Khurram Dastgir added that the industry now has a stable supply of energy resources, better law and order and conducive business conditions and it should exploit its exports potential, and the government was willing to work with them in resolving the problems it faces. In this regard, the minister invited the poultry industry for discussion on the issues it faces.
He further said that despite all odds the poultry industry has maintained 10 % growth, and it should use this platform to harness export potential. The government will look into issues such as higher taxes on input material imports, levy of duties on imports of poultry products and certification and standardization of Pakistan’s poultry products.