USD100bn export target ‘absolutely achievable’: Sindh CM
KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Thursday threw his weight behind the business community’s ambitious vision of taking Pakistan’s exports from around USD30 billion to $100 billion, declaring that the target was “absolutely achievable” provided the country harnessed Sindh’s enormous indigenous energy potential and implemented policies aimed at reducing the cost of doing business…
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah declared on Thursday that the goal of expanding Pakistan's exports from $30 billion to $100 billion is "absolutely achievable" if the nation leverages Sindh's abundant energy resources and implements policies to lower business costs and enhance global competitiveness. Addressing the 79th Independence Day Flag Hoisting Ceremony organized by the Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry, the chief minister highlighted Pakistan's achievements in defense and diplomacy, emphasizing that the next challenge lies in achieving economic growth.
He encouraged unity between the government and the business community to foster sustainable growth and bolster Pakistan's standing in international markets. Murad Ali Shah endorsed Chairman Zubair Motiwala's proposal to boost exports to $100 billion, noting that the country's export sector has the potential to significantly increase its contribution by ensuring a competitive business environment.
Sindh, he noted, could become Pakistan's energy hub, with vast Thar coal reserves and substantial potential in solar, wind, and indigenous gas sectors, which could lower production costs and boost industrial competitiveness. He stressed the importance of utilizing Thar coal and indigenous gas over imported gas to reduce energy expenses, noting that Pakistan cannot afford to overlook a resource capable of providing affordable energy.
The chief minister urged the business community to work with the federal government to implement policies that would lower business and energy costs, essential for boosting exports, investment, and industrial activity. He also thanked KCCI for its cooperation during crises such as the Gul Plaza tragedy and other incidents affecting traders, promising to address the concerns of Nasla Tower victims.
Murad Ali Shah indicated that discussions were ongoing to resolve the remaining issues from the transporters' strike. Zubair Motiwala, the BMG chairman, called for a shift in how Independence Day is observed, urging a focus on economic progress alongside flag-hoisting. He proposed a comprehensive cost-comparison study between Pakistan and competing economies to identify barriers to competitiveness.
Motiwala stressed the need to modernize agriculture to increase productivity and boost exports. He urged the business community to reflect on their contributions to Pakistan, emphasizing collective responsibility for the country's economic challenges.
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