Lahore: The volume of exports contributed by the cement industry will reach approximately USD 1 billion from the present USD 600 million after the completion of six cement manufacturing plants, a news source quoted Adviser to Prime Minister for Commerce, Textile, Industry and Investments Abdul Razak Dawood as saying yesterday. He was addressing an international conference in Lahore, which was jointly organised by Intercem and All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association.
Dawood, while addressing the participants lavished praise on the cement sector, said that it had a key role in the infrastructural development of Pakistan. He linked the consistent growth and performance of the sector to the emergence of the multi-billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects. He added that the cement sector was crucial to boosting employment opportunities and infrastructural developments in the country.
He told the participants that Pakistan was working on free-trade agreements (FTA) with various countries and expressed the hope the Islamabad would finalise its second FTA with China by June next year. He described the participation of officials from over 20 countries as a welcoming sign and said such a gathering spoke volumes of investors’ confidence in Pakistan.
Dawood also stressed the need to boost the production of locally-manufactured products, saying a ‘Made in Pakistan’ approach would put the country on path to economic prosperity and progress. He added that the government was trying its best to provide electricity to export-oriented industries on subsidised rates.
The adviser said Pakistan had a variety of unique products and the country will enter international competition through its exports. He added that the Council of Common Interests will come up with an export-friendly strategy in line with the suggestions of all chief ministers.
