ISLAMABAD
Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif has directed to evolve strategy to assess the performance of the Trade and Investment Officers (TIO) appointed in Pakistan embassies in other countries.
He said this while presiding over an important review meeting with reference to trade here Friday.
“I myself will review it after every two months, he added.
He directed to immediately pay the authentic duty drawbacks to exporters.
Trade officers who will show good performance will be appreciated and those showing poor performance will be reprimanded and be removed from their offices.
PM directed that urgent steps be taken for making country’s exports more competitive.
The Prime Minister emphasized developing such a trade policy that facilitates business. He said consultation should be held with the private sector to formulate policies regarding ease of trade and business. He noted the role of private sector and industry is very important in the country’s development.
He insisted that deletion policy should be implemented for the development of the country’s auto sector.
The Prime Minister directed to prepare a comprehensive strategy to evaluate performance of trade and investment officers posted in Pakistani embassies abroad.
The meeting was informed that talks on Free Trade Agreement between Pakistan and Gulf countries are in final stages while corridor trade agreements with Uzbekistan and Tajikistan have been activated with positive results. Stakeholders are being consulted on Preferential Trade Agreements with Azerbaijan and Afghanistan.
It was informed that both Iran and Russia have expressed their consent in principle for the operationalization of barter trade.
