ISLAMABAD – Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has expressed gratitudeto European Union and European Parliament for their support to Pakistan insecuring GSP Plus facility for its exports.
He said EU’s High Representative on Foreign Affairs Federica Mogherini willarrive in Islamabad on 26th of the current month and several accords onPak-EU strategic cooperation will be signed on the occasion.
terming peace imperative to pursue development agenda in the region hassaid Pakistan is focusing on economic diplomacy to address the challengesof contemporary world.
Addressing at the inaugural session of “Leaders in Islamabad BusinessSummit”, he said peace in Afghanistan is important to realize the dream ofprogress and prosperity in the region, for which Pakistan is makingpersistent efforts and contribution.
The Foreign Minister said in view of ensuring peace, Pakistan alwaysemphasized on holding dialogue with India to resolve all outstanding issues.
Shah Mehmood Qureshi said setting up Special Economic Zones under CPEC willencourage investment in Pakistan, leading to sustainable development andeconomic stability.
He said entering into 20 billion dollars development projects with SaudiArabia is another milestone for the country towards achieving economicstability.
The Foreign Minister said Pakistan is ready to introduce a new visa regimeto promote tourism and culture besides projecting Pakistan’s peaceful imageabroad.
He assured that despite challenges, the government is committed to makingPakistan a better place to live.
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Meanwhile, addressing a two-day Business Summit”, Minister for Finance AsadUmar said it will eventually improve functional efficiency of all nationalinstitutions to attain sustainable long-term economic development in thecountry.
Asad Umar said government is working on restructuring of fundamentals ofeconomy and strengthening the regulatory regimes by putting the bestprofessionals of the country as well as overseas Pakistanis on their policyboards.
The Minister said the government had formed a five-member committee toselect best professionals in a transparent manner to improve the workingefficiencies of government organizations.
He said regulatory regime has been strengthened as best professionals ofthe field were taken on the policy board of the Securities and ExchangeCommission of Pakistan.
He said in order to promote the friendly tax culture and facilitating thetax-payers, for the first time members from the private sector had beenincluded in the policy board of FBR.
Besides, he said that the government had also appointed overseas Pakistanisas heads of different national organization including National Bank ofPakistan, Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited, NIT and other national institutionson merit without any political consideration.
Asad Umar said that small and medium sector enterprises were facingaccess-to-credit issues and government was taking steps to address theseproblems by facilitating the supply and ensuring the provision of easyloans.
