Unisame calls for streamlining raw material imports

KARACHI: The Union of Small and Medium Enterprises (Unisame) has invited the attention of the Ministry of Commerce, Industries and Production and also the Planning Ministry to revise the import, export and industrial policies, a statement said on Monday.

It also called for streamlining the imports of raw and packing materials on top priority basis, it added.

Unisame President Zulfikar Thaver said that there is no real free list, which existed under the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and all imports are controlled because of availability of import of funds, it is better, if a policy is framed to identify the imported items.

The Ministry of Commerce must give priority to the imports of the export-oriented industries to enable them earn valuable foreign exchange.

For this purpose, the ministry may allocate import quota to units, according to their capacity to avoid sale of the imported goods in the open market.

The Unisame Council members expressed surprise at the ministries behaviour towards the acute shortage of foreign exchange, which is leading to chaos.

The council members urged the policymakers to make efforts and arrange imported raw and packing materials from the international suppliers of chemicals, metals, minerals, foodstuffs, cotton and other commodities.

The council members also urged the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) to act fast and ensure that the Exim Bank commences functioning in such times when it would be essential for it to play an important role in the suppliers’ credit for Pakistan by guaranteeing or facilitating escrow accounts.

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