Strict policies, procedures reason behind low exports

F.P. Report

PESHAWAR: Traders and exporters here on Wednesday declared complicated regulations, procedures, strict policies and high regulatory duties main reason behind the low exports and asked the government to take concrete steps to remove all impediments in way of regional trade so that can help to improve exports and mutual trade.

Speaking at opening session of the National Exporters Training Programme (NETP), organized by Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) in collaboration with Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry at the chamber house here, SCCI president Acting ShahidHussain said there is immense potential and vast opportunities to further promote mutual trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

However, he said Islamabad and Kabul should make vigorous efforts to bring easiness in their policies and to remove hurdles in way of mutual trade. He stressed the need for provision of facilities to traders, exporters and importers on both sides of the border.

Besides, SCCI Vice President Abdul Jalil Jan, former president Faiz Muhammad Faizi, TDAP Director General Shehzad Ahmad Khan, Director Atlas Khan, Assistant Director Zahid Khan, the chamber executive members MujeeburRehman, Ihsanullah Khan, Shams ur Rahim, Aftab Hayat, large number of exporters belonging to honey, gems stone, mineral and other export-oriented sectors were present in the training program.

The training was aimed at to share the trade knowledge in terms of available resources, international trends, TDAP facilitation initiative for exporters and role and important of export planning and execution, so as to equip our potential and new traders/manufacturers who are eager to export.

SCCI chief said the government in collaboration with private sector is taking measure to enhance exports and reduce imports that will bring down current trade deficit, which was highly commendable step. However, he urged the federal and provincial governments to adopt effective strategy for revival of war-affected and sick industries in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The chamber president appreciated the TDAP for organizing training session for exporters and said the KP economy is mostly dependent on promotion of trade with Afghanistan. ShahidHussain observed the mutual trade volume between Pakistan and Afghanistan stood at $ 2.5billion a few years ago, which has reduced at less than one billion dollar due to different reasons and some policies of both Pakistan and Afghanistan governments.

He stressed the need for removal of hurdles in way of Pak-Afghan mutual trade and practical measures to end grievances and difficulties to traders, exporters and importers on both sides of the border in order to further enhance regional trade.

Earlier, MrShehzad Ahmad Khan, TDAP Director General briefed the participants about the National Exporters Training Program.

During the training session, DrAdilNakhuda and DrNajam Akbar, Assistant Professors at IBA- Karachi through their multi-media presentation delivered comprehensive lecture about Pakistan export and four modules that would help perspective exporters in converting an export inquiry into actual exports