Business leaders assured of govt help

Amin Fahim said that the government is also trying to get duty-free access to US market. — File Photo

KARACHI: Federal Minister for Commerce Makhdoom Amin Fahim on Monday assured the business leaders of his full support in resolving the issues hampering industrial activity and damaging exports. 

He also invited the trade and industry leaders to Islamabad for holding meetings with respective ministries to resolve issues related to RGST, high gas and power tariffs, non-availability of raw material, law and order situation.

Funds for nine major programmes not released

ISLAMABAD: The federal government, owing to financial constraints, did not release any funds to nine major programmes, including the Export Investment Development Fund, SME Development Support Fund and Venture Capital Fund, in the first quarter of the current fiscal year. 
 
The government had allocated Rs10 billion in the budget for fiscal year 2009-10 for the Export Investment Development Fund to finance initiatives for exports enhancement, but no amount was released in the first quarter for this programme.