SAPM Haroon Akhtar Khan lauds Honda’s export breakthrough as boost to industrial growth

LAHORE, March 29 (SABAH): In a landmark achievement for Pakistan’s automotive sector, Honda Atlas Cars Pakistan celebrated the commencement of its first-ever export of completely built-up (CBU) units from the country.

The ceremony, held at the company’s premises, was graced by the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) for Industries and Production, Haroon Akhtar Khan, as the chief guest.

The event was attended by key government and industry stakeholders, including Secretary of the Ministry of Industries and Production, Saif Anjum, and CEO of the Engineering Development Board, Khuda Baksh Ali.

HACPL has successfully dispatched its inaugural batch of 40 Honda CITY 1.2L units to Japan, reinforcing its position as a key player in the international automotive market. This achievement highlights HACPL’s dedication to world-class quality, reliability, and innovation, laying the groundwork for future export ventures across diverse global markets.

Haroon Akhtar Khan, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister, visited the Honda Atlas Cars Pakistan Ltd. (HACPL) plant and praised its advanced facility, quality standards, and contribution to local manufacturing and exports, aligning with government goals for economic growth. During the visit, Aamir H. Shirazi highlighted government support for a business-friendly environment, while Takafumi Koike emphasized Honda’s innovation and global legacy.

The event featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the start of HACPL’s export journey, followed by a tree plantation activity reflecting the company’s commitment to sustainability and a greener future.

Speaking at the occasion, SAPM Haroon Akhtar Khan lauded Honda Atlas Cars Pakistan for its resilience, commitment, and continued efforts to expand the reach of Pakistani-built vehicles beyond domestic borders. He emphasized that this milestone signifies Pakistan’s growing potential to become a competitive player in the global automotive market.

Highlighting the government’s vision for export-led industrial growth, Haroon Akhtar Khan underscored the importance of close coordination between the public and private sectors. He reiterated Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif’s vision of fostering an export-driven and sustainable industrial ecosystem. “The government remains committed to supporting the automotive sector through favorable policy reforms and infrastructural development,” he said.

The SAPM Haroon Akhtar encouraged other local manufacturers to seize emerging opportunities in international markets, expressing confidence in Pakistan’s capacity to become a regional hub for automotive production and export.

This achievement by Honda Atlas Cars marks a promising step forward in realizing the country’s industrial and economic ambitions on the global stage.