Karachi: Federal Secretary for Commerce Jawad Paul on Saturday endorsed the need for regionally competitive energy tariffs and more facilitative tax measures for exporters, as government officials and trade bodies reviewed Pakistan’s export performance and discussed strategies to boost outbound trade.
According to an official statement, the consultative meeting was aimed at formulating practical measures to enhance exports and strengthen the national economy. Participants shared sector-wise perspectives on key constraints, opportunities for export diversification and pathways to improve competitiveness.
The session was hosted by the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) at Federation House and chaired by Jawad Paul. It was attended by Secretary Industries and Production Saif Anjum, senior officials of the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) and representatives of various trade and business bodies.
In his welcome address, FPCCI President Atif Ikram Sheikh said export growth was central to Pakistan’s economic stability and long-term development. He welcomed the Ministry of Commerce’s continued engagement with the private sector, noting that effective policymaking required a clear understanding of on-ground business realities.
Sheikh said Pakistani exporters had shown resilience and innovation, but continued to face challenges including high costs of doing business, expensive energy, limited access to finance, market diversification issues and compliance with international standards. He pointed to emerging opportunities in value-added manufacturing, services exports, information technology and agro-based industries, which could help strengthen foreign exchange reserves, generate employment and put the economy on a sustainable growth path.
FPCCI Senior Vice President Saquib Fayyaz Magoon said the session saw broad private sector participation, including representatives from major textile bodies such as APTMA, APTPMA, PRGMEA and TMA, as well as the Pakistan Fruits and Vegetables Association (PFVA), tourism associations PATO and TAAP, and logistics stakeholders from PIFFA.
The meeting concluded with closing remarks by the Commerce Secretary, who reviewed sector-wise recommendations and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to addressing exporters’ concerns through collaborative policymaking.
