PM Shehbaz ends export surcharge, pushes reforms to boost trade

WEB DESK: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Monday chaired a review meeting of the sub-working group tasked with enhancing Pakistan’s exports, issuing a series of directives aimed at strengthening the export sector.

The Prime Minister ordered the immediate removal of the Export Development Surcharge currently imposed on exporters, emphasising that the government’s top priority is to facilitate industrialists and promote trade growth. He also called for a comprehensive third-party audit of the Export Development Fund (EDF) for the past five years, in line with international standards, to ensure transparency and accountability.

To optimise the utilisation of the EDF, the Prime Minister instructed that a suitable private-sector chairperson be appointed. He stressed that the fund should be used exclusively for boosting exports, research and development, workforce skill enhancement, training programs, and the development of world-class facilities, warning that any unrelated or illogical use of the fund would not be tolerated.

Additionally, all ongoing EDF programs and schemes will undergo third-party audits. The Prime Minister directed a restructuring and reform-oriented review of the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) to enhance its role in export promotion.

PM Shehbaz reiterated that promotion of Pakistan’s export products worldwide is the responsibility of the federal government, and that ensuring exporters receive all possible support remains a priority.

These measures reflect the government’s broader strategy to strengthen Pakistan’s global trade presence, improve export competitiveness, and provide targeted assistance to the country’s industrial and export sectors.