LAHORE: The Afghan-Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement (APTTA) should have been raised in the parliament because the entire nation was the stakeholder. This was stated by Chairman National Assembly Standing Committee on Commerce MNA Khurram Dastgir while speaking at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Tuesday.
Khurram Dastgir said that it was very unfortunate that the government did not take the business community into confidence before accepting the APTTA, which is seemingly detrimental to Pakistan’s economic interest. The MNA added that the business community’s reservations on Trade Organizations Ordinance would be addressed and their feedback would be given due consideration.
He emphasised that both the government and private sector would have to work in tandem to bring the economy back on track. He said that the situation is not as conducive as is indicated by some rumours. The Chairman National Assembly Standing Committee on Commerce said that the government would have to evolve a solid strategy to ensure jobs are available to less educated youth.
Corruption is the biggest hurdle in the way of progress and prosperity of the country therefore the government will have to introduce a culture of transparency in all spheres of life. He said that the Commerce Committee of the National Assembly was playing its role artfully by raising its voice for the cause of the business community.
He said that NA Standing Committee on Commerce was also working hard for the development of women entrepreneurs. “All recommendations in this regard would be given due consideration and the issue was given the highest priority in all forums” he opined. The LCCI leadership voiced its considered opinion that it was an age of economic diplomacy and it would have been better if the business community was taken onboard before initiating dialogue with European Union.
While citing the example of swimsuits, the LCCI President said that the EU concession package contains quite a few items that are not even manufactured in Pakistan. It was suggested that government should initiate another round of talks with the European Union for getting duty-free access for fresh fruits, vegetables and rice that are of the highest quality.
The representatives of Chambers of Commerce and trade associations must be made part of negotiating team to this regard.
