A vast majority of trade officers stationed abroad have not been able to increase the foreign exchange earnings of Pakistan. This is despite the fact that the government has spent millions of rupees on foreign missions. Out of the 55 trade officers stationed abroad only 10 to 12 are sharing monthly market reports as per the requirement of the Ministry of Commerce. The ministry has clear instructions that commercial attaches abroad should report back about the host country’s economic activities, issues and trade opportunities on a monthly basis. They are also directed to make suggestions about promoting Pakistan’s trade. Concerned authorities in the country like the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) has repeatedly asked the trade officers to submit reports about the market activities of the host country however, few trade officers have complied. Beside the energy shortages and law and order situation in the country, the negligence on the part of these trade officers is another factor for not improving Pakistan’s exports abroad.
Earlier in reply to a query, Federal Minister of Commerce, Makhdoom Amin Fahim claimed that trade officers with poor performance would be called back and replaced with competent officers, but no step has been taken so far. According to experts the commercial attachés have practically lost their importance and the concerned department in the country’s embassies has become another white elephant for Pakistani ailing economy. According to statistics shared by the foreign ministry in a recent session of the National assembly, Pakistan is spending huge amounts of money on various embassies as shown in the table.
According to the conditions set by MoC for trade officers, their principal responsibilities is to enhance Pakistan’s reputation as a reliable trading partner, develop favorable commercial relations between trading enterprises in Pakistan and the host territory, ensure that relevant governmental bodies, commercial organizations and the Pakistani export community have up- to-date knowledge of trading conditions and export prospects and opportunities in the foreign countries. Trade Officer are supposed to collect and interpret economic information and help formulate trade policy and export strategy by disseminating such information to appropriate organizations in Pakistan. They are also suppose to process trade inquiries originating in Pakistan or abroad. In addition, the Trade Officers were also expected to attract foreign investment for Pakistan.
