PM Shehbaz calls export-led growth top priority, urges NTC to facilitate investors

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday affirmed that achieving export-led growth targets was the government’s top priority, directing the National Tariff Commission (NTC) to play an active role in facilitating investors, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said.

According to the PMO, Prime Minister Shehbaz chaired a review meeting on overall economic growth and the implementation of the National Tariff Policy 2025-30 on Thursday.

Prime Minister Shehbaz emphasised that the “active and transparent performance of the NTC was essential for the promotion of industry, trade and investment in the country”, the PMO added.

He directed the NTC to play an active role in facilitating investors and industrialists.

According to the PMO, the prime minister said the NTC should be modernised by adopting international best practices and using modern technology, including information technology and artificial intelligence.

The PMO further said that the meeting was briefed on the implementation of the National Tariff Policy 2025-30.

“The briefing stated that under the policy, tariffs for various sectors would be reduced gradually with the objective of achieving export-oriented economic growth targets,” the PMO said, adding that duties on reefer containers and semi-trailers would be abolished to promote and develop the logistics sector.

“The briefing further stated that customs duties on specialised vehicles and machinery were being reduced to support the construction sector.”

The PMO stated that customs duties on raw materials, particularly those used in cancer medicines, would also be abolished to facilitate the pharmaceutical sector.

Federal Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar, Federal Minister for Climate Change Musadik Malik, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema, Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Muhammad Aurangzeb, Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik, and others attended the meeting.