ISLAMABAD - Finance minister Ishaq Dar on Thursday said that Pakistan would achieve 5 percent GDP growth during ongoing financial year, as all economic indicators were moving in the right direction.
He made these remarks in a meeting with a 38-member delegation of consul generals, commercial counselors and commercial secretaries-designate. Finance minister said that the present government has carried out selection procedure of trade officers in the most transparent manner and ensured that principle of merit is upheld at all costs. He said it is now up to the officers concerned to set high service standards and deliver results while working in areas of their accreditation. The minister said export promotion should be their prime objective and they would receive full support and facilitation from the government in this regard. He said that if each one of the new trade officers could enhance the trade in their respective jurisdictions by $200 million, it could result in an overall increase of $7.6 billion in the country's exports.
The minister on this occasion said that after macroeconomic consolidation, the government has now its eyes set on sustained and inclusive economic growth of which foreign investment is also a key component. He said trade officers should also make efforts for encouraging foreign investment in Pakistan. The minister also on this occasion gave a brief overview of the economy and said that twenty-two international organizations have recognized the economic achievements made by Pakistan. He said the government has achieved all this through continuous reforms which will continue in future as well.
The minister called upon all the selected trade officers to work for the economic betterment of the country and earn good name while serving abroad.