PM urges value addition, technology and innovation to drive Pakistan’s exports

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday called for making export growth a cornerstone of Pakistan’s economic development, urging authorities to diversify the country’s export base, improve product quality and increase value addition to make Pakistani goods more competitive in global markets.

Chairing a review meeting on measures to boost exports and accelerate economic growth, Shehbaz directed officials to prepare more sectors and industries for participation in international markets alongside traditional export sectors, according to a statement issued by his office.

“Export growth should be made the basis of the country’s economic development,” Shehbaz said, calling for the inclusion of the maximum possible number of sectors and industries in export activities.

He directed authorities to take effective measures to bring the quality of Pakistani products in line with international standards, strengthen quality assurance systems and ensure compliance with international standards and regulations.

The prime minister also stressed value addition, saying greater focus was needed to increase both the value and competitiveness of Pakistani products in global markets.

He ordered measures to promote modern technology, research and innovation in export-oriented industries and called for greater use of digitalisation and modern technologies to align the economy with changing global requirements.

Shehbaz also directed officials to remove administrative and business hurdles faced by exporters and make the export process easier, faster and more transparent.

The meeting was briefed on progress in implementing an approved strategic roadmap for export promotion, with discussions focusing on access to new international markets, diversification of export sectors, improving product quality and facilitating businesses.

Officials said Pakistan was taking steps to improve access to global markets through free trade agreements and preferential trade arrangements with several friendly countries.

The government was also working to bring Pakistani horticultural products into the export basket, while efforts were under way to increase exports of Pakistani surgical and medical equipment by encouraging local exporters to participate in international hospital tenders and procurement processes, the meeting was told.

Pakistan is also organising trade exhibitions, including TEXPO, the Health, Engineering and Minerals Show and FoodAg, in different cities to introduce Pakistani products to global companies and buyers, according to the briefing.

The government is working to bring intellectual property laws in line with contemporary requirements to encourage innovation in exports, officials said.

The restructuring of the Export Development Fund has also been completed, with the fund taking steps to facilitate the business community, the meeting was told.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, and federal ministers Rana Tanveer Hussain, Jam Kamal Khan, Musadik Masood Malik, Ahsan Khan Cheema and Muhammad Aurangzeb, as well as Prime Minister’s Adviser Haroon Akhtar, Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani and officials from relevant institutions.