katI insists on “Made in Pakistan” as the first post-independence slogan
Published on: December 2, 2023.
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The Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI) recently hosted a powerful gathering advocating for the revitalization of the ‘Made in Pakistan’ initiative and calling for government support of youth entrepreneurship. The event, titled “Made in Pakistan,” featured influential leaders such as KATI President Faraz-ur-Rehman, Senior Vice President Nighat Awan, Vice President Muslim Mohammadi, District Governor of Rotary Club Hanif Khan, Former President of FPCCI Zubair Tufail, and Founder of Made in Pakistan Movement Rizwan Jafar, as well as a strong representation from the youth and business community.
Faraz-ur-Rehman, in a passionate address, emphasized that ‘Made in Pakistan’ is not just a slogan, but a movement for development. Pakistan, despite its abundant resources, has become heavily reliant on imports, resulting in significant economic challenges and foreign exchange shortages. Rehman called for a focus on technology transfer and the IT sector, recognizing the potential for substantial foreign exchange through IT exports and freelancing in the future.
Hanif Khan, the District Governor of Rotary Club, highlighted the neglect of the ‘Made in Pakistan’ slogan and the subsequent export of raw materials at inflated prices. Drawing inspiration from China’s development, Khan emphasized the need for value addition and branding to enhance the global recognition of Pakistani products. He also stressed the importance of supporting small-scale industries and implementing effective marketing strategies.
Zubair Tufail, the former President of FPCCI, echoed the sentiment, expressing the need to reduce reliance on foreign products through the ‘Made in Pakistan’ initiative. Tufail pointed out Pakistan’s surplus production of rice and wheat and advocated for strategic investments in renewable energy, particularly solar and wind energy, to address the country’s energy challenges. He further urged the government to provide soft loans of up to 50 lakhs to empower the youth, recognizing their potential to elevate Pakistan’s global reputation.
Rizwan Jafar, the founder of the Made in Pakistan Movement, clarified that the movement aims to promote Pakistani products on an international scale. Jafar emphasized the importance of improving industry facilities and implementing value addition practices to ensure fair prices for products. He also stressed the need for training the large youth population in the IT sector, envisioning a revolutionary impact on the services sector.
The event concluded with addresses from Engineer Khalid Parvez, Iqbal Qureshi, and others, highlighting the collective commitment to advancing the ‘Made in Pakistan’ cause.
Source: Trade Chronicle
