Prime Minister on facilitating prospective investors

Prime Minister Imran Khan, on Wednesday, while chairing a briefing on the functions of the Ministry of Commerce, said that the promotion of trade and the facilitation of the business community were among the top priority areas for his government.

He laid a special emphasis on overseas Pakistanis that wanted to invest in various conventional and non-conventional sectors of the economy but were hindered by the existing structures of investment at the moment. In order to ensure the seamless facilitation of such prospective investor, he said that these existing modalities would be reviewed.

The statement comes after the PM was briefed on the current situation of the imports and exports of the country, by Secretary Commerce, Mr. Muhammad Younas Dagha who also proposed certain policy initiative and various short-term and medium-to-long term measures aimed at promoting trade activities and realizing the true export potential of the country.

Advisor to the Prime Minister on Commerce, Mr. Abdul Razak Dawood was also present during the briefing.

Discussing the role of trade officers abroad towards enhancement of the country's trade, the Prime Minister observed that there was a need to review the criteria of appointment and assessing the performance of the trade officers so as to ensure that the business community is properly facilitated while the investment potential of the country is highlighted and trade targets achieved.

The Prime Minister also directed that a comprehensive strategy should be worked out to check corrupt practices of illegal money transfers (hundi) and smuggling, which were negatively affecting the country's economy.