Ministry wants to ban new cars tranfer within 6 months of purchase

[Naveed Yaseen]

RECORDER REPORT
ISLAMABAD (May 28 2009): The Ministry of Industries and Production wants to impose ban on transfer of new vehicles in six months to discourage black marketing by dealers. Minister for Industries and Production Mian Manzoor Wattoo stated this while addressing a press conference here on Wednesday.

Wattoo highlighted the decisions taken in the first meeting of the advisory council of the Ministry of Industries and Production held here adding that the advisory council has decided that a stern action is required to control overcharging by dealers on the sale of new cars.

The minister said that it has been informed to the auto manufacturers in the advisory council meeting that prices were on the rise despite a 50 percent drop in production. "When sale of cars is declining then there is no justification that availability of cars is becoming an issue," he added.

"The auto manufacturers have been asked to provide details of the issue and suggest ways to reduce car prices in Pakistan in comparison with the neighbouring countries," the minister said adding that auto manufacturers have been given a clear warning of stern action if the prices are not brought under control and the consumers are not benefited.

The advisory council also considered establishing a tax-free industrial zone in northern areas to promote stone industry including marble sector and gemstone industry.

The minister said that the members of sugar industry complained to the advisory council that due to a wrong decision by the Economic Co-ordination Committee, raw sugar was not being imported in the country, resulting in loss to the industry and also increase in sugar prices due to shortage.

The advisory council also decided that the first industrial policy would be formulated within three months, he said, adding that the policy is essential to promote small, medium and large industries. He said that the small and medium enterprises would be developed in the next fiscal year, while the skill development programmes will be launched by Smeda. "Skilled manpower was essential for the country and needed to capture the international labour markets," he said.

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