Razak urges manufacturing of electric vehicles in Pakistan
He said that in addition, the investment made in the part manufacturing would also be safeguarded.
(APP) – Adviser to the Prime Minister on Industries and Production, Commerce, Textile and Investment Abdul Razzak Dawood urged that “Made in Pakistan” will be supported in each policy including electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing, which he termed the “only way forward.”
The imports will be discouraged and provision of jobs to youths will be targeted while aiming to achieve environmental goals in the country, he said.
The adviser to the PM chaired 30th meeting of Auto Industry Development Committee (AIDC) to discuss local manufacturing EV on 16th January 2020 organised by the Engineering Development Board (EDB), Ministry of Industries and Production, said a statement issued by the Ministry of Commerce.
All major stakeholders including the Pakistan Automotive Manufacturers Association (PAMA), the Pakistan Association of Auto Parts and Accessories Manufacturers (PAAPAM), senior officials from Ministry of Industries and Production, Engineering Development Board, Federal Board of Revenue, Planning Commission of Pakistan, Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Commerce, leading car manufacturers, truck and bus manufacturers, 2-3 wheeler manufacturers attended the meeting While the adviser to the PM also emphasised that the policy would be prepared to best suit the needs of our country.
He said that in addition, the investment made in the part manufacturing would also be safeguarded.
Explaining the importance of EVs, he emphasised that synchronised efforts were required to shift to EVs in order to achieve best possible results.
Replying to a query by the PAMA, the adviser announced that EV policy was the domain of Ministry of Industries and Production (MoIP) as per rules of business and the EDB has been designated at the secretariat of the EV policy. He authorised preparation of policy to the EDB and the submission of first draft within a month.
Entire automotive sector expressed relief on the announcement by the adviser that the task was handed over to a technical organisation which was the most relevant body working for promotion of automotive sector. On the occasion, various tariff and non-tariff proposals were discussed in the meeting.
The participants were of the view that adviser may grant them 15-20 days for submission of concrete proposals on local manufacturing of the EVs.
The chairman of the EDB advised the participants from various segments of automotive sector to expedite submission of their proposals to the EDB in view of the timeline given by the adviser.
The investment under the Auto Development Policy (ADP 2016-21), proposals by various companies to invest in the EVs under the ADP, standardisation of equipment, promotion of localisation, exports of parts and components in the long run, employment generation and positive impact on national exchequer were the main discussion points in the meeting.
On behalf of entire automotive sector, the EDB chairman thanked the adviser for attending the meeting in person to clarify doubts about preparation of the EV Policy. The EDD CEO ensured submission of first draft of the policy to the MoIP within stipulated time frame.
