PM determined to enhance exports for better GDP growth: SAPM

ISLAMABAD: Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Effective Governance, Dr Muhammad Jahanzeb Khan has said that the PM is determined to increase Pakistan's exports as there is no other way to achieve 7-8 percent GDP growth.

He was addressing a seminar on WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement Roadmap for cross-border regulatory agencies organised by International Trade Centre which was attended by representative of British High Commissioner, Chairman FPCCI, Chairman APJCCI, Zubair Motiwala, Resident Coordinator UNIDO, Nadia Aftab, Special Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, Dr Muhtaba Memon, Member FBR and officials of different ministries.

Jahanzeb Khan said that trade cooperation across the border is necessary including logistics, which must be improved, adding that continuity of policies is necessary for trade.

He said the government office holders i.e. bureaucracy should itself approach business community to resolve issues but instead they approach government machinery.

He said there should be close coordination between business community and the government to find out ways and means to bring improvement.

He said both exports and imports need to be encouraged as without import of raw materials at reduced duties, exports cannot be increased.

British High Commissioner’s Representative Mahesh Mashrane stated that UK is a big supporter of investment and trade relations with Pakistan, adding that UK wants to promote cross-border trade as it will help Pakistani exporters to increase their trade in the UK.

“We are working towards the implementation of this road map and we will continue to cooperate with the Government of Pakistan on trade”, he added.

Chairman Pak-Afghan Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Zubair Motiwala on Tuesday raised questions on Pakistan’s economic module, suggesting the government opt for Bangladesh, Vietnam or Cambodia module to steer the country out of the economic crisis.

He said the country is at a very critical juncture mainly due to economic crisis, adding Pakistan is facing current account deficit, trade deficit and budget deficit. The country has opted for short-term measures like borrowing from IMF and friendly countries.

He said, political government and real government (the bureaucracy) should reconsider their approach to resolve country’s economic issues. He said that Pakistan needs to create export surplus as with the current approach exports cannot be enhanced.

He requested Advisor Trade Facilitation ReMIT ITC Project to work on strategy to generate export surplus. He said the export value of apparel is 14 times that of raw cotton.

He requested the representative of British High Commission to support Pakistan in getting new GSP Plus scheme in the European Union (EU) countries as in case of denial; Pakistan will face a hit of $ 2-3 billion per annum. The existing GSP Plus scheme will expire in December next year.

Sharing his views on reduction in exports to Afghanistan, he said that Pakistan’s exports were $ 5 billion and Pakistan is at present a net importing country. He further suggested that the government should evaluate the reasons why India and Iran having replaced Pakistan in terms of exports to Afghanistan.

He said the problem is not the government but its agencies as traders have to pay bribes at 15-16 stations to get their consignments cleared.

He said the Bangladesh’s total exports are over $ 45 billion whereas Pakistan’s exports stood at $ 25 billion, and suggested that the Commerce Ministry and the FBR should conduct a comparative study as to why Bangladesh is ahead of Pakistan in exports.

He said that if Bangladesh, Vietnam, Cambodia have achieved growth, then Pakistan must choose one successful module, implement it and proceed ahead.

Special Secretary Commerce, Dr Mujtaba Memon said that Commerce Ministry is closely working with the SAPM on Effective Governance on Strategic Roadmap in eight sectors that are being prepared on the directions of prime minister.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2022