KARACHI: Research on global trade has identified domestically created non-tariff barriers as the most important element impeding the free flow of trade, Mian Muhammad Adrees, president of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry, has said.
He said Pakistan’s exports are facing domestically created barriers such as uneven playing field, regulatory measures, complex system and procedure, delay in release of supportive packages and stuck up exporters’ money in terms of refunds etc.
He said that despite Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif’s intervention to boost the Pakistan exports by eliminating hurdles and bottlenecks, no serious efforts is yet seen. The Prime Minister himself conducted the meeting with the leading exporters of Pakistan for more than five hours.
During the meeting, Ishaq Dar and Commerce Minister Khurram Dastigir were assigned to finalize incentive package for exporters, especially for the value added export sector. Delay in the incentive package has badly demoralized the exporters. Consequently, there is significant decline in Pakistan exports, particularly in textile while exporters are still waiting for the package to negotiate their export orders.
Mian Muhammad Adrees added that our exporters are eager to give boost and enhance Pakistan trade by availing GSP Plus opportunity but they fear to take any order as they are facing liquidity problems due to stuck-up refunds.
The President FPCCI emphasised that the government should seriously resolve the exporters issues and provide them equal opportunities to compete with their competitors which are unfortunately, in our own region. Our competitors are availing opportunities through negotiating in the international forums as well as receiving government support in terms of subsidies and incentive packages.
