The Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) and the Pakistan Association of Automotive Parts and Accessories Manufacturers (PAAPAM) have asked the government to reconsider its policies towards exports so that the export policies could be matched with local requirements.
Addressing a reception at the Pakistan Auto Show, arranged by the Pakistan Association of Automotive Parts and Accessories Manufacturers (PAAPAM) at the Expo Centre, LCCI President Irfan Qaiser Sheikh said that local auto industry has exported spare parts of over $80 million, and it can extend this export to $500 million in two years if the government provides complete support to this sector.
He asked the government to adopt a policy, matched with the needs of local industry, and should consider views of stakeholders. LCCI President Irfan Qaiser Sheikh congratulated PAAPAM Chairman Syed Nabeel Hashmi and organisers for holding Pakistan Auto Show and said that he was completely impressed to see significant display of auto products in a large scale. Besides improving Pakistan’s image at international level, he said that this show will definitely boost local auto industry as well. Besides a thousand visitors, representatives of local and international auto industries i.e. Japan, China, Italy, Germany, Australia, Holland, Sri Lanka, India and UAE visited the Pakistan Auto Show on the final day of the three-day show, where visitors showed their keen interest in local auto manufacturing products.
The product range includes complete built up vehicles i.e. cars, trucks, buses, tractors, motorcycles and auto components (in thousands) at 128 different stalls outside and inside two separate halls of the event place, where international and domestic manufacturers took part. Expressing their opinion, the visitors said the Pakistan Auto Show will have a positive impact on the emerging auto industry.
The LCCI president criticised the government over the imposition of 16 per cent general sales tax, and said that the government should withdraw this tax so that this export-oriented industry should be protected from destruction. PAAPAM Chairman Nabeel Hashmi said that the local auto industry exported over $90 million of spare parts.
He asked government not to change policies regarding the auto industry and provide every possible support to local vendors so that the prices of motorcycles, cars, rickshaws, busses, trucks and other vehicles could be reduced.
In Pakistan, local industry is manufacturing motorcycles, cars, tractors, other heavy vehicles like trucks and busses and also hosts major original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) like Toyota, Honda, Suzuki and Massey Ferguson. On the final day of the show, the PAAPAM management gave awards to the best performers, exhibitors, sponsors and management. On the occasion, Syed Nabeel Hashmi announced the next Pakistan Auto Show in Karachi.
