PM directs measures to cut trade costs, boost exports

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday directed the authorities concerned to take effective measures to eliminate delays in trade, reduce business costs and boost exports, saying the government was committed to making Pakistan a more effective part of global supply chains.

Chairing the first meeting of the Trade Facilitation Board, Shehbaz said that facilitating trade and promoting business activity were among the government’s top priorities.

He directed the authorities concerned to remove unnecessary procedures and rules that hinder trade and improve coordination among government agencies involved in the clearance of goods.

“Trade facilitation is aimed at removing procedural barriers related to trade,” the prime minister said, according to an official statement.

He directed that all relevant agencies at major ports should provide facilities to the business community at a single location. He also called for improvements in the system of joint inspections and profiling by government agencies.

The prime minister ordered a comprehensive audit of all non-tariff measures to identify and remove unnecessary barriers to trade.

He also directed authorities to take effective steps to bring direct shipping lines to Pakistani ports, saying direct shipping would make it easier and faster for Pakistani products to reach international buyers.

Trade performance index

Shehbaz directed the preparation of a National Trade Performance Index to measure customs clearance, logistics and other key indicators affecting trade.

He also called for special measures to increase the participation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in international trade and directed authorities to identify and address trade barriers faced by smaller businesses.

The prime minister ordered authorities to make the risk-management system more effective to facilitate trade, directing that only high-risk cargo should undergo detailed inspection.

He also called for the use of artificial intelligence to speed up trade-related processes.

Customs clearance targets

The meeting was briefed on targets for the current fiscal year, including increasing pre-arrival clearance to 30 per cent, raising the share of the green channel to 65 per cent and increasing the number of Authorised Economic Operators (AEOs) to more than 50 by the end of the fiscal year.

Shehbaz approved targets for a Time Release Automated System for all ports.

The prime minister also ordered the establishment of a working group to review non-tariff measures and directed it to present a roadmap within one month.

He reiterated the government’s commitment to providing maximum possible facilities to the business community and said effective trade facilitation was essential for reducing costs, speeding up commercial activity and strengthening Pakistan’s position in global supply chains.