KARACHI: Abdul Razak Dawood, Prime Minister’s Advisor on Commerce, Textile, Industries & Production and Investment is an upright man of principles who is a highly qualified person and patriotic businessman having robust passion to serve our beloved country. He holds a workaholic personality and envision to give meaningful results. Prime Minister Imran Khan has very rightly appointed him as the Advisor to look after the four portfolios based on his acumen and intellect. The business and industrial community of Pakistan has strong confidence in him as so far he has very well maintained his portfolios and taken several initiatives to boost Pakistan’s Export and enhance Pakistan’s Trade ties with the friendly countries. Under the supervision of Razak Dawood, the Commerce & Textile Ministry has been working to formulate a five-year strategic trade policy framework, revision of free trade agreements and preferential trade agreements, further trade liberalization and duty free access with countries particularly the US, China, Turkey, Malaysia, Afghanistan. This was jointly stated by Muhammad Zubair Motiwala, Chairman, Council of All Pakistan Textile Association (CAPTA) and Muhammad Jawed Bilwani, Chairman, Pakistan Apparel Forum, Junaid Makda, Former President, Pak-Afghan Joint Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Aslam Karsaz, Chairman (SZ), Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers & Exporters Association, Shaikh Safiq, Chief Coordinator, Pakistan Readymade Garment Manufacturers & Exporter Association, M. Pervez Lala, Chairman, All Pakistan Textile Processing Mills Association, Kamran Chandna, Chairman, Pakistan Knitwear and Sweater Exporters Association, Khawaja M. Usman, Chairman, Pakistan Cotton Fashion Apparels Manufacturers & Exporters Association.

They were reacting to a ‘negative’ statement given by a trade body and others against Advisor Razak Dawood. They said: “Razak Dawood also served in the Musharaf’s Cabinet whereby he delivered efficiently. Even now in the Government led by Prime Minister Imran Khan Dawood is rendering his services with same caliber, zeal and enthusiasm which has always been profoundly appreciated by the business and industrial community of Pakistan.

“Advisor Razak Dawood has always tried his level best to bring things in order and practical action and implementation has already been started with the negotiations of trade agreements and appointments of trade officers on merit in friendly countries giving them targets to enhance trade of Pakistan. The economic indicators also reflect that the Commerce Division has managed to narrow down the trade deficit by 15.3% to $31.8 billion. Overall, the trade deficit, which stood at $37.6 billion in the preceding fiscal year, shrank to $31.8 billion in the just ended fiscal year 2018-19, the PBS reported. In absolute terms, there was a reduction of $5.8 billion in the trade deficit. The Exports have also started witnessing an increasing trend in the current fiscal year 2019-20.

“Advisor Razak Dawood has always consulted the stakeholders trade organizations and the elected representatives of trade organizations have been accorded representations in the newly formed and existing Governmental Committees, Councils and Task Forces. During the pre-budget meetings with stakeholders, Dawood sought the proposals from the trade organizations which were placed before the Government for deserving consideration. For textile sector, Razak Dawood has always raised voice and stood along with the stakeholders and supported the view point of five export sectors towards refunds, DLTL and other matters. First time in the history of Pakistan, separate tariff of gas for five export sector were introduced. Worthwhile to mention here that he also supported the export sectors in their demand that the imposition of 17% sales tax was high and it should be introduced with a low percentage. “They articulated that the business and industrial community of Pakistan firmly believes that Abdul Razak Dawood as Advisor to Prime Minister on Commerce, Textile, Industries & Production and Investment is a very fit person and business community has full confidence in him and Prime Minister of Pakistan has very rightly appointed Razak Dawood as his Advisor on Commerce, Textile, Industries & Production and Investment.”—PR