Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday directed relevant authorities to improve the quality of Pakistani products in line with international standards as part of the government’s efforts to increase exports and accelerate economic growth.
Chairing a review meeting in Islamabad, the prime minister called for stronger quality assurance mechanisms and full compliance with international standards and regulations. He said improving exports should become a central pillar of Pakistan’s economic growth strategy.
PM Shehbaz stressed the need to move beyond traditional export industries and prepare a wider range of sectors for international markets. He said greater participation by industries in export activity was necessary to diversify Pakistan’s trade base.
He also called for greater value addition so that Pakistani products could become more competitive and command higher value in global markets. Modern technology, research and innovation, he said, should be promoted across export-oriented industries.
The prime minister directed authorities to remove administrative and business obstacles faced by exporters and make export procedures simpler, faster and more transparent.
Officials briefed the meeting on progress in implementing the government’s strategic roadmap for export promotion. Proposals for entering new international markets, diversifying export sectors, improving product quality and facilitating businesses were also reviewed.
The meeting was informed that Pakistan was seeking greater access to international markets through free trade agreements and preferential trade arrangements with friendly countries.
Efforts were also under way to expand horticultural exports, while Pakistani manufacturers of surgical and medical equipment were being encouraged to participate in procurement tenders issued by international hospitals.
Officials highlighted international exhibitions organised in different cities to introduce Pakistani products to foreign companies, including textile, health engineering, minerals, food and agriculture exhibitions.
The meeting was further informed that work was progressing to update intellectual property laws in line with contemporary requirements in order to encourage innovation in export industries.
Officials said the restructuring of the Export Development Fund had been completed and that the fund was taking measures to facilitate the business community.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Industries and Production Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain, Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan, Climate Change Minister Musadiq Masood Malik, Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Khan Cheema, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and other senior government officials.
The government has identified export-led economic growth as a major policy priority, with the federal budget for the current fiscal year also framed around this objective.
Pakistan’s merchandise exports increased by 9.54 per cent during the first month of the current fiscal year, although the trade deficit widened because of rising imports. The latest improvement follows a difficult previous fiscal year, when merchandise exports fell 5.97 per cent compared with the preceding year and missed the annual target by $4.87 billion.
The figures underline the challenge facing the government: increasing exports will require not only greater production, but also higher product standards, diversification, value addition, innovation and easier access to international markets.
