Pakistan Auto Show 2019 begins.

LAHORE -- 'Consistent policies, localisation, government support and lower taxes will move Pakistan auto industry forward and contribute to the country's growth,' speakers from auto industry shared these views while speaking at the inaugural ceremony of Pakistan Auto Show (PAPS) 2019 at Expo Center. The show is being held from April 12 to April 14 at the Expo Center, by Pakistan Association of Automotive Parts and Accessories Manufacturers (PAAPAM) where OEMs and auto part manufacturers are showcasing their products and expertise. Chairman PAPS 2019 Mashood Ali Khan said PAAPAM has always played a pivotal role to provide business and growth opportunities to auto engineering industry as a whole.

Senior Director Corporate Strategy and Regulatory Affairs, Indus Motor Company, Tariq Ahmed Khan said: 'Pakistan economy has a promising future. With improved governance and fiscal policies, optimum utilization of natural resources and increasing skills of young dynamic human capital, shining place for Pakistan is not a dream. With lowest motorization levels of 18 per 1000, the potential of achieving 500,000 is not far away.'

'We are working to the best of our capabilities to realize the ADP 16-21 vision. But to achieve this vision, a vibrant domestic manufacturing industry is needed under conducive economic conditions,' he added. He urged the government to continue its consultation process with industry and remove barriers which are shaking consumer confidence. 'One such barrier is 10% FED application on vehicle above 1700 vehicles,' he pointed out and requested for its removal to encourage local vehicle manufacturing.

Meanwhile, CEO, Kia Lucky Motors (KLM), Asif Rizvi said, 'KLM stands fully committed to localization. The pace of localization may be a little slower but not because of the concessionary duty regime or a lack of desire to localize but only due to low volume at the start and simultaneous launch of multiple products not attempted previously,' he explained and requested the EDB to now link the very successful tariff based localization regime to volume, so that high technology products having low volume can be introduced viably. He said that in order to unleash this huge potential in the auto...