Mian Zahid urges steps for boosting exports to US
KARACHI: President of the Pakistan Businessmen and Intellectuals Forum and All Karachi Industrial Alliance, Chairman of the National Business Group Pakistan and Chairman of the FPCCI Policy Advisory Board Mian Zahid Hussain has said the Ministry of Commerce, Trade Development Authority of Pakistan, Pakistan’s trade missions and FPCCI should jointly formulate a strategy to promote exports to United States.
He said securing new orders must be supported by timely payment of tax refunds, adequate financing and reliable maritime services so that Pakistani exporters could fulfil their commitments on schedule. Sustainable trade relations with the United States would be strengthened when they also generated greater investment, technology transfer, industrial production and employment in Pakistan.
He said that Pakistan’s merchandise imports from the United States are increasing rapidly, while exports are recording only marginal growth.
He urged the government to adopt an effective strategy to expand exports to the US, strengthen Pakistan’s net foreign exchange earnings and protect its prevailing bilateral trade surplus. Alongside bilateral trade cooperation, greater attention must be given to improving share for Pakistani products, increasing industrial production and generating export-related employment.
He urged the relevant institutions to help Pakistani industries increase their market share in the US through better quality, certification, packaging and marketing to American buyers. Export targets for medical instruments should reflect Pakistan’s product capabilities and the relevant US registration requirements.
Hussain appreciated Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions between the United States and Iran amid the war’s impact on global energy supplies and maritime trade. He said expanding high-level diplomatic engagement with the US also presented an important opportunity for economic diplomacy.
The Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of Foreign Affairs should use these engagements to prioritise better access for Pakistani products, lower tariff barriers and greater business opportunities for Pakistani exporters. Efforts to secure new orders, investment and employment opportunities for Pakistani industries should advance alongside improvements in diplomatic relations.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026