Pakistan, June 24 -- The Pakistani government has reduced port charges for exporters by 50 percent at the country's second biggest Port Qasim, the Pakistani maritime affairs ministry said on Monday, amid efforts to boost trade and economic growth.

The development came after a strategic roadmap meeting of the ministry, at which Maritime Affairs Minister Junaid Anwar Chaudhry emphasized the government's commitment to creating opportunities for local businesses and encouraging trade through ports and fisheries.

Pakistan is striving to boost trade and investment amid a gradually healing macroeconomic environment after a prolonged downturn that forced Islamabad to seek external financing from friendly nations and multiple loan programs with ...