ISLAMABAD: Participants of a dialogue on technological advancement, foresight in surgical instruments and pharmaceutical products advocated policy reforms and a roadmap to overcome challenges faced by the two sectors. This will help enhance productivity, value addition and export competitiveness.
The 10th Public-Private Dialogue (PPD), hosted by European Union Acting Ambassador Pierre Mayaudon, was attended by representatives of the federal ministries and chambers of commerce in Islamabad.
Positive developments under the EU-funded trade programme, Trade Related Technical Assistance II (TRTA-II) as well as the autonomous trade preference granted to Pakistan after the devastating earthquakes in 2010 and 2011 were brought to light by Mayaudon.
Regarding the EU’s GSP Plus status that would come into force on January 1, 2014, he said, “Pakistan should enhance its productive capacity and comply with required certifications to benefit from zero import duties and quotas on 90% of tariff lines.”
However, he emphasised the need for overcoming energy shortages, inviting all stakeholders to benefit from the opportunities offered by the new Innovation Programme Horizon 2020.
Speaking on the occasion, Commerce Secretary Qasim Niaz stated an export development roadmap for pharmaceutical and surgical instrument sectors was being prepared by the Ministry of Commerce.
Niaz appreciated the technical assistance provided by the EU and the International Trade Centre’s (ITC) role in institutionalising the PPD process to facilitate policymaking in different sectors of the economy.
He stressed that value addition and export enhancement in the pharmaceutical and surgical sectors were crucial. In order to ensure diversification in national exports, he said, these sectors would be the focus of the ministry’s trade policy interventions.
Stating that the government was taking steps to address energy issues faced by industries, he underlined the need for developing a skilled and trained labour force through public-private collaboration. .
A presentation was organised, explaining the TRTA II programme, the process of PPD and the success achieved. This was given by Pakistan Institute of Trade and Development (PITAD) Director General Sajid Hussain and ITC representative Mohammad Owais Khan.
As a representative of the Ministry of Commerce, PITAD pledged more such dialogues with the ITC to address the issues faced by the business community and undertake reforms through policy initiatives.
The technical session was chaired by Dr Idrees Khawaja of the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE), while Dr Ather Osama presented a research study conducted for the purpose.
In panel discussions, private sector representatives from the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association of Pakistan, Surgical Instruments Manufacturers and Exporters Association and Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry explained the issues and gave recommendations
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