Omar1984
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MFN status to India may endanger Pakistan economy
LAHORE: Speakers at Punjab University seminar on opening trade with India warned that by awarding India most favoured nation (MFN) status in haste and without the approval of the parliament, the government would endanger Pakistans economy, culture and traditions according to a press release issued here on Thursday.
The speakers said the bureaucracy is creating a bogey of consumerism and consumer interest, which is a fake argument as India still provides subsidy to its industries while any country under WTO providing subsidy, cannot be given MFN status.
They pointed out that India officially opened its markets for Pakistan in 1996 by granting it MFN status, however, its peculiar Pakistan specific import tariffs and trade barriers restricted Pakistani exports to very low levels.
Now we would open our markets for India if we pride it with MFN status, said Javed adding that with liberal import policy, Indian goods would flood markets without corresponding increase in exports.
He said that it is very unfortunate, the government policies do not match the national interest, which is creating chaos and panic among the masses. He urged the people and media to play their due role in bringing positive change in the country.
Chairman PAAPAM, Syed Nabeel Hashmi, said that Pakistani bureaucracy is making important economic decisions in haste. Commerce Secretary, Zafar Mahmood, is consoling Pakistani manufacturers that he will put many industries in Negative List, but on the other hand, in his visit to India he said that the Negative List will be valid for a year only.
He said that the government is making Pakistan a trading economy at the cost of revenue-generating local industries. Nabeel suggested that in the first phase, the trade with India should be initiated with the import of raw materials, machinery and equipments, moulds and dies etc. Further, allow transfer of technology through Joint Venture and Technical Assistance Agreements and thus make Pakistani auto industry competitive.
Chairman Agri forum Ibrahim Mughal said that it is very unfortunate that Pakistani delegations have always failed to safeguard the interest of Pakistan, whereas they have advocated the Indian interests. He said that India through a systematic approach would supply agricultural products at highly competitive prices leaving Pakistani farmers with no choice but to head for cities to start trade instead of farming.
After a few years, he said, only the Indian businesses capturing the agricultural market will rule the roost and will dictate their terms and only then Pakistani public will understand the conspiracy behind MFN.
Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan
LAHORE: Speakers at Punjab University seminar on opening trade with India warned that by awarding India most favoured nation (MFN) status in haste and without the approval of the parliament, the government would endanger Pakistans economy, culture and traditions according to a press release issued here on Thursday.
The speakers said the bureaucracy is creating a bogey of consumerism and consumer interest, which is a fake argument as India still provides subsidy to its industries while any country under WTO providing subsidy, cannot be given MFN status.
They pointed out that India officially opened its markets for Pakistan in 1996 by granting it MFN status, however, its peculiar Pakistan specific import tariffs and trade barriers restricted Pakistani exports to very low levels.
Now we would open our markets for India if we pride it with MFN status, said Javed adding that with liberal import policy, Indian goods would flood markets without corresponding increase in exports.
He said that it is very unfortunate, the government policies do not match the national interest, which is creating chaos and panic among the masses. He urged the people and media to play their due role in bringing positive change in the country.
Chairman PAAPAM, Syed Nabeel Hashmi, said that Pakistani bureaucracy is making important economic decisions in haste. Commerce Secretary, Zafar Mahmood, is consoling Pakistani manufacturers that he will put many industries in Negative List, but on the other hand, in his visit to India he said that the Negative List will be valid for a year only.
He said that the government is making Pakistan a trading economy at the cost of revenue-generating local industries. Nabeel suggested that in the first phase, the trade with India should be initiated with the import of raw materials, machinery and equipments, moulds and dies etc. Further, allow transfer of technology through Joint Venture and Technical Assistance Agreements and thus make Pakistani auto industry competitive.
Chairman Agri forum Ibrahim Mughal said that it is very unfortunate that Pakistani delegations have always failed to safeguard the interest of Pakistan, whereas they have advocated the Indian interests. He said that India through a systematic approach would supply agricultural products at highly competitive prices leaving Pakistani farmers with no choice but to head for cities to start trade instead of farming.
After a few years, he said, only the Indian businesses capturing the agricultural market will rule the roost and will dictate their terms and only then Pakistani public will understand the conspiracy behind MFN.
Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan