LAHORE: Around 27 metric tonnes of wheat has been exported and foreign exchange $10,000 earned during financial year 2014-15, said Commerce Minister Khurram Dastagir Khan while answering in a session held.
The minister revealed that total quantity of wheat exported during fiscal year 2013-14 was 20,037mt and foreign exchange earned was $7 million while until July-September FY 2014-15 the country exported 27 MT of wheat earning $10,000. The minister said that overall exports of Pakistan have increased gradually over the last three years.
“The exports of Pakistan were $23.6 billion in year 2011-12. The exports rose to $24.5 billion in year 2012-13 showing an increase of 3.5%. The value of exports for 2013-14 also showed positive trend and final value of the said year is US$ 25.1 billion showing an increase of 2.7% while China is the major source of imports into Pakistan,” he added.
He said that the Commerce Ministry announced its Trade Policy 2012-15 on January 31, 2013.
“One of the goals was to increase Pakistan’s cumulative exports to $95 billion during 2012-15. No sector-wise break ups were announced. Since there were no sector-wise targets set, hence no targets were achieved.
But the exports of textile sector have grown in 2013-14 as compared to the year 2012-13 by 5.3%,” he added.
He said presently 48 trade officers were working in Pakistan Trade Missions abroad while as per criteria approved by the prime minister in 2005, following steps are involved in the selection of commercial counsellors in Pakistan trade missions abroad included advertisement in newspaper, written test by testing organisation, interview by Special Selection Board and approval of the prime minister.
“Exports of fish and fish products have increased during 2013-14 as compared to 2012-13 and export of fish and its products has increased in FY 2013-14 instead of decreasing when compared with FY 2012-13,” he said.
During FY 2012-13, export earnings from fish and its products were million $317.65 whereas export earnings from fish and its products in FY 2013-14 were $369.46 million, he said, adding that it was therefore, not correct that $23.2 million foreign exchange has been earned, rather $369.46 million has been earned during 2013-2014.
The government has taken a number of steps to improve fisheries sector, which, inter-alia, include strengthening of extension services, introduction of aquaculture techniques, diversification of fishing efforts, improvement in post-harvest techniques, development of value added products, and upgrading of socio-economic condition of the fishermen’s community, the minister said.
