Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) Chief Executive Officer Tariq Iqbal Puri has said that for the first time ever, exports have surpassed the allocated target. It was all the more significant, he noted, given the economic downturn that Pakistan was on course to set new records of export growth. To build on this landmark achievement, Puri said TDAP was accelerating its efforts and adopting innovative solutions to achieve exports valued at $24 billion by the end of this financial year.
The TDAP chief executive was speaking at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry. LCCI President Shahzad Ali Malik, Senior Vice President Sheikh Mohammad Arshad, Vice President Sohail Azhar, former LCCI Presidents Mian Misbahur Rehman, Shahid Hassan Sheikh, PIAF Chairman Sohail Lashari, former LCCI Senior Vice President Tahir Javaid Malik, former vice presidents Aftab Ahmad Vohra and Shafqat Saeed Piracha also spoke on the occasion. In spite of the energy shortage, exporters are doing roaring business in the international market and are holding their own against foreign competitors, Puri stressed, adding the demand for Pakistani textile products had risen sharply.
He pointed out that there are a number of other areas including untraditional items such as minerals, livestock and pharmaceutical products that have huge export potential and Pakistani businessmen should tap any viable opportunity. The TDAP CEO said his organisation was encouraging Pakistani entrepreneurs to focus on such untraditional items for exports. The TDAP, he added, would furnish all possible assistance and was in the process of setting up a web portal. This web portal he added would be highly sophisticated and designed speicifically to cater to the needs of the businessmen. Speaking on trade concessions to Pakistan by the European Union, Tariq Iqbal Puri expressed hope that there would soon be good news in the offing as the government has worked hard to gain clearance. Regarding the suspension of the Enterprise Capacity Building Programme of TDAP, Puri promised to look into the matter and indicated he would seek the early revival of the programme. Speaking on the occasion, LCCI President Shahzad Ali Malik said that the delegations organised by the TDAP should be prepared in close consultation with chambers to ensure greater representation of the private sector at international trading events such as trade fairs and single country exhibitions.
