Business Reporter
Islamabad:The Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW) on Sunday asked the government to improve transport infrastructure as feeble transport system is adding to cost of doing business.
The transport system largely dependent on road transport increase cost of agricultural and industrial production resulting in high price while it also increase the cost of doing business for exporters which is resulting in dismal exports, it said.
Reduced exports has compelled government to seek loans from international lenders to bridge deficit which can be tackled by improving exports, said Dr. Murtaza Mughal, President PEW.
He said that transport mafia has reduced the role of railway therefore business community has to rely on road transport for the movement of goods which is a reason behind high price of different items.
Dr. Murtaza Mughal said that government should improve road and railway network to ensure quick and cheap movement of goods within country and across the borders which is imperative for proper inclusion in the international market.
Pakistan produces many agricultural goods which are regarded as of high quality around the world but forty percent of the production is wasted during the process of transportation which results in losses to the tune of billion that can be saved.
He said that the cost of protests on roads is very high which should be considered by protestors as it include delayed shipments, erosion of confidence among foreign and domestic investors, and the weakening of the state’s controls over the economy.
