950822

Formation of

engineering

exports advisory

body proposed

RECORDER REPORT

FAISALABAD: The Special Committee on Export has emphasized the need for the formation of an "engineering exports advisory committee" consisting of government officials and exporters to continuously monitor the performance of engineering goods exports.

In a report, which was presented to the prime minister, by its convenor and Chairman of Faisalabad Dry Port Trust, Mian Mohammad Latif, it was stated that the export of value added engineering products can play a prominent role in increasing and diversifying the country's exports as well as in improving the terms of trade. By providing requisites facilities to the engineering sector by way of finances for import of sophisticated machinery and technology. Pakistan can attain a major breakthrough by augmenting of industrial production and export.

According to report, Pakistan is well-known for its cotton and rice in the international market. It is not so well-known for its engineering products. It is essential that advertizing and sales promotion measures are vigorously adopted. It is not possible within the financial capacity of an individual exporters to finance such sales promotion activities independently for a long time. The special committee proposed that the government should provide financial support through the Export Promotion Bureau to bona fide exports who have made some exporters of engineering products in a particular market.

Free participation in trade fairs in targeted markets, Export Promotion Bureau should cover the cost of travel and boarding and lodging and cost of stalls and display. Where an exporter of engineering products wishes to visit a market for subsequent orders, EPB should finance at least two export visits. The Special Committee further proposed that EPB should, on the advice of exporters and on confirmation of their market potential by the respective Commercial Counsellor, advertize the engineering product in the targeted market. Ministry of Commerce, EPB and FPCCI should organize an exhibition of engineering products on the line of Pakistan Textile and Clothing Fair to highlight the engineering potential of the country.