Kamal vows to boost industry, trade in Balochistan
QUETTA: Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to prioritizing industry and trade sectors in Balochistan and all possible steps would be taken in this regard.
He emphasized that providing facilities at the border would have a positive impact on bilateral trade and relations with neighboring countries.
He expressed these views while speaking during a meeting held through video link with the office bearers and members of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Quetta Balochistan.
The minister said that to eliminate unemployment and achieve economic prosperity in the province, it was essential to create more facilities for people involved in export and import sectors. He assured that the federal and provincial governments would work together to address the challenges faced by the business community in Balochistan.
He vowed that the federal ministry would provide support for sending business delegations to Afghanistan and other countries. The suggestions of the office-bearers and members of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Quetta Balochistan regarding the development of trade with neighboring countries and within the country would be given importance and priority.
On the occasion, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Quetta Balochistan Muhammad Ayub Mariani and Senior Vice President Haji Akhtar Kakar drew the attention of the Federal Minister of Commerce to the challenges and problems faced by the business community in Balochistan. He conveyed his gratitude to the Federal Minister for Commerce for exempting Balochistan exporters and importers from the circular issued by the State Bank for trade with neighboring countries. We want a permanent solution to this issue.
He also informed the Federal Minister about the reactivation of the Badini Business Gate, giving a 25 to 30 percent discount in tax valuation on 32 items imported through the land route, resolving the issue of disputed land of the Special Economic Zone, constructing the Expo Center at a suitable location, and the problems faced by goods vehicles. He also made various suggestions regarding opening business gates at the district level from Zhob to Taftan with Afghanistan, establishing border markets, and others. On the occasion, Jam Kamal Khan said that he would himself see the problems of Balochistan traders related to the center and they would talk to the Chief Minister of Balochistan about the problems related to the province.
The Minister pressed that the federal and provincial governments would have to pay full attention to sectors like industry and trade, adding that they would discuss these issues in the meetings of the Pak-Iran Joint Border Trade Committee (JTC). He said that providing facilities at the border with neighboring countries had positive results on business and bilateral relations. In this regard, we had also included projects in the provincial PSDP of the year 2021. He said that we will also review SRO 642 of the year 2023. Staff Report
