KABUL (PAN): Minister-designate for commerce and industry Ghulam Nabi Yablaqi on Saturday told a session of the Wolesi Jirga that he would develop an industrial strategy to reduce the gap between the country's exports and imports. Yablaqi, who worked as senior advisor to the government for commerce and industry, presented his plans before the lawmakers and responded to their questions. Seeking a vote of confidence, he told the house that since Afghanistan was a consuming country, the imports were far higher than exports so there was a great need of decreasing tariffs and establishing rules to have control over the prices. "The imports are seven times higher than the exports," he said, explaining that currently Afghanistan export volume was about $500 million per annum. He emphasised on rehabilitation of private sector industries as well as government enterprises to support industry sector. He said they only sold government enterprises over the last several years as part of privatization process. "If I became a minister, I would bring administrative reforms to the government enterprises and would jointly work with private sector to help boost the industry and trade activity," he promised. He claimed his ministry assessed custom rates and proposed new suggestions to support domestic industries at every cabinet council meeting on commerce and industries during his tenure as minister. He said they can avoid too much import of goods from foreign countries, if new custom rates were introduced. He pledged opportunities to private sector through establishing laws and necessary policies, but said no compromise would be made on public interest. He said the government would share subsidies on imported goods as well as fuel and food commodities in order to control the prices and ensure smooth supply to the markets. Responding to a question, he said the development of food industry was among his plans which he claimed would cost 50 to 60 million US dollars. About the increasing fuel and food prices, he said a law should be approved by the house to prevent illegal stockings to deal with the situation. He said he would make efforts to persuade the private sector for investment in the country. mnm/ma
