Dipping exports increases importance of remittances

ISLAMABAD: Patron Islamabad Chamber of Small Traders Shahid Rasheed Butt on Sunday said workers remittances are more important than exports therefore this sector should be given the attention it deserves. Despite best efforts of the government the exports continue to drop therefore the importance of remittances sector must be realised which is paying import bill of oil, LNG and palm oil, he said.

Shahid Rasheed Butt said that remittances are necessary for survival of the country therefore it should be purged with black sheep and important posts like director general Bureau of Immigration should not be kept vacant for long. He said that Abu Dhabi is one of the top remittance market for Pakistan but there is no community welfare attaché there which is unfortunate. The veteran business leader said that government must encourage this sector and properly regulate it to promote remittances and assist overseas employment promoters which are faced with multiple problems of serious nature. He said that those going abroad to get jobs to feed their families and send foreign exchange are milked by many agencies. These people are asset of the country which deserves all the respect and encouragement.

Shahid Rasheed Butt said that job promoters should not be harassed by law enforcing agencies and the ministry of overseas Pakistanis should initiate programme to produce skilled labour which is in great demand at home and abroad.