New Trade Policy should focus on improving the competitiveness of export-oriented industries to improve products quality and enhance country’s exports. This was said by Mr.Zahid Maqbool, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry while giving his suggestions for Trade Policy 2010-11.

He said energy shortage, high power tariffs and credit cost, insufficient support for technology up-gradation, lack of proper infrastructure, shortage of skilled manpower and law & order situation are the main challenges affecting industrial growth.

He said forthcoming Trade Policy should address all these issues on priority to enhance the competitiveness of firms, which is key to effectively compete in today’s world of intense competition.

Mr.Zahid Maqbool said that industrialists are not getting any technical support from the government to up-grade technology and they have to invite technical experts from foreign countries with their own efforts and at their own expense for installation of new technology and machinery.

He urged that Ministry of Commerce should develop close collaboration with Ministry of Science & Technology & Information Technology, Ministry of Industries, Textiles and other establishments of technology and innovation promotion in Pakistan to provide technical support to industries in up-grading technology and improving quality of products.

He said despite having a potential demographic dividend, industries in Pakistan are facing shortage of skilled labor. He said skills up-gradation programs should be conducted through Chambers of Commerce & Industry to provide skilled manpower to industries.

ICCI President said government in coordination with Chambers should conduct needs analysis surveys of industries to find out their emerging needs and to come up with remedial measures to address those needs. He said that tariffs on the import of industrial raw material should also be reduced to facilitate the promotion of export oriented industries.

Pakistan’s commercial sections abroad should prepare market analysis reports to explore more trade and export opportunities for Pakistan. He said foreign qualified Pakistani youth should be engaged in coordination with Commercial Sections abroad to carry out such studies.