'Govt taking measures to boost exports'.

KARACHI -- The government is working on multiple fronts to enter into new markets in order to boost exports, said Commerce Secretary Nawaz Sukhera on Friday.

Addressing a gathering of value-added textile leaders at the Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers Association, he said the Ministry of Commerce is planning to hold a conference in Nairobi, Kenya on Jan 30 under its 'Look Africa' policy.

He said the conference will interlink relevant government departments engaged in export facilitation such as State Bank of Pakistan, Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Board of Investment and commerce ministry on a single stage.

Sukhera further said that around 300 importers of Pakistani goods from across Africa were also being invited. He said the government strongly feels that with robust growth of around 7-8 per cent, Africa is a lucrative export market for Pakistani goods.

Similarly, he also pointed out that the recent visit by Russian trade minister to Pakistan has also paved way for increasing bilateral trade between the two countries.

He explained that the biggest barrier to trade between Moscow and Islamabad was the outstanding barter trade fund of $93.5 million due for the last 30 years. However, he said that Pakistan has now paid the amount which helped rekindle the trade relations.

He added that there are many export markets other than GSP+ therefore Russia, Africa and China are three major new openings.

Unlike in past, when China negotiated with Pakistan over Free Trade Agreement (FTA) at equal level, the new FTA has opened up a large tariff line of 313 items only because Beijing this time treated Pakistan as younger brother, Sukhera claimed. He urged exporters to take full advantage of the new FTA.

He also informed the delegation...