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1,300 Hino buses to be exported to Iraq, Kuwait

AMER SIAL

RAWALPINDI: The country has received orders for the export of 1,300 buses from Iraq and Kuwait, while negotiations are going on with Dubai and Muscat for more orders.

This was stated by the G.M. Marketing of Hinopak, Irfan Shaikh, here on Thursday at the launching ceremony of their new model coaches.

Iraq wants to import 1,000 buses and Kuwait is keen to buy 300 buses, he said.

He, however, said the duties on export hidered us from entering the competitive market of motor exports. He asked for rebates and reduction on duties.

The chief guest of the ceremony, Commerce Minister Razak Dawood, assured his full help and cooperation in this regard. He said the company is already in the export market and would help enhance it.

He said he would be visiting Iraq again in April and would like to take a delegation of local automobile assemblers and manufactures to exploit there the export potential of automobiles.

Iraq has already agreed to buy tractors and rice form us and a vast untapped market for our products exists there. Iraq is also interested in buying pumps for agricultural purposes and switch gears for power plants, he added.

The minister said the government is devising a transport policy which would be transparent and uniform for all.

Dawood appreciated the transport policy of previous government and said help would be taken from the transport policy drafted by the Smeda in forming the new policy.

Hinopak Managing Director Okamura said the company started its operations in the country in1986. In the last 14 years it has established itself as the market leader and now has command over 60 percent truck and buses market in the country.