MULTAN, July 22nd: State departments will have to introduce People-friendly and Business-friendly policies by bringing smart changes in their behaviour and adopting softness, relaxation, politeness, said Khawaja Jalaluddin Roomi Chairman of Multan Dry Port Trust(MDPT), Former Punjab caretaker Minister for industries and Ex-President of Chamber of Commerce & Industry Multan- Dera Ghazi Khan during a meeting with Collector Customs Appraisement Faisalabad Ms.Saima Aftab here today. As the ‘Great Lockdown’ emerged from the global COVID-19 pandemic, it is continuing to devastate communities and jobs, challenge businesses that struggle to survive, and strain fiscal space of governments working to protect both lives and livelihoods,he added. Khawaja Roomi said that Pakistan is not immune to the economic shock caused by the coronavirus, and its exports have been hit hard. He further said the success of the recently announced industrial strategy 'Make in Pakistan' relies mainly on the ability of Pakistani producers to access raw materials and intermediate inputs at world prices. Achieving revenue targets set by the Central Board of Revenue for the Multan dry port was linked with the resolution of problems being faced by exporters, importers and clearing agents. Roomi said that Traders of South Punjab wanted to make Export Terminal Sadiqabad, Muzaffargarh and Multan more active than ever before. But they are facing a problem of "Delayed Clearance" of containers of imported good or export goods due to non-cooperation of ANF staff. Khawaja Jalaluddin Roomi further said,"Since Multan is emerging as the business hub of CPEC in near future and it would be a centre of trade activities. He suggested that the Customs department should facilitate the businessmen of this zone and they must provide a congenial atmosphere to them.He said that it was a long-standing desire of businesses of the south zone to serve the country and the people of this area and they want to boost up their exports to earn maximum foreign exchange. For sustainable development of Pakistan we need robust and cost-effective Transport & Logistics Sector, he said that the customs department should use its influence to provide a cargo train for the importers, exporters of South Punjab. Internationally 50% of cargo is carried/traded through rail development. In Pakistan, Rail share is just 5% due to lack of quality containers & non-container freight trains. Pakistan Railways has promised to give a train to Multan for Karachi port but it is yet to be materialised. Moreover, cold storage containers are very much required to reduce/minimize the wastage of farm produce & other perishables items that Pakistan is currently unable to produce. The meeting was also attended by Ms.Beenish Rashid Assistant Collector customs,Multan DryPort, Ms. Sobia Assistant Collector Export Terminal, Sadiqabad,Khawaja Muhammad Younas, Khawaja Muhammad Yousaf, Khawaja Muhammad Hussain, Syed Muhammad Aasim Shah, Khawaja Muhammad Ahsan Shah, Chairman of APBUMA,Khawaja Muhammad Fazil, Chairman Pakistan Oil Mills Association(POMA) Mian Tanvir'A Sheikh Ex-President of FPCCI. Later She visited the Multan Dry Port Trust's Sadiqabad Terminal and asked the staff to provide maximum facilities to attract the local exporters and importers.She assured for the posting of efficient, experienced and energetic staff in Multan dry port.
