2015-2018: 'STPF badly failed to meet target of exports growth'

The Strategic Trade Policy Framework (STPF) 2015-2018 has badly failed to meet the target of exports growth in comparison to peer economies such as India and Bangladesh, Secretary General Business Men Panel of FPCCI Ahmad Jawad told Business Recorder, here on Thursday. He said the government through the STPF 2015-18 had set ambitious annual export target of $35 billion by June 30, 2018 through improving export competitiveness.
On the contrary the exports fell to $20.448 billion in FY 2016-17 registering a 15.75 percent decline as compared to $23.667 billion recorded in 2014-15. He said Pakistan's exports have shown a declining trend since the high figure of $ 25 billion recorded in 2011-12 due to mismanagement at Trade Development Authority of Pakistan since then even now the government has failed to appoint the chief executive of the authority
Jawad said it is imperative that the government should start detailed consultation with all stakeholders for their inputs and suggestions for making a valid and reasonable policy framework, so that previous blunders may be overcome. Jawad suggested that MoC may formulate the policy for five years for making it result-oriented and also revive the Pakistan Horticulture Development & Export Company (PHDEC) so that non traditional products may contribute to the national kitty as horticulture sector has been gaining importance in the world trade for last two decades. Despite fertile land conducive environment, Pakistan accounts for just 0.3 percent in the world's horticulture trade.