LAHORE: The Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) has been urged to back local auto parts manufacturers for participating in international exhibitions.
The Pakistan Association of Automotive Parts and Accessories Manufacturers (Paapam) said that due to showcasing their products in the international exhibitions, the contacts with world manufacturers would develop, besides analysing the possibility of joint ventures with them.
The demand was raised during a meeting between TDAP Chief Executive SM Muneer and PAAPAM delegation led by its senior vice chairman, Mumshad Ali.
SM Muneer, chief executive of TDAP, assured PAAPAM of his full support for participation in international fairs. He said TDAP is being reformed to make it a business-friendly organisation, facilitating the business community and trade bodies in their efforts to promote Pakistan’s exports. Muneer said that purpose of the delegations and exhibitions is to promote bilateral trade, strengthen economic relations and intensify interaction of the business community with the host countries.
PAAPAM delegation leader said the auto engineering sector of Pakistan was facing a steep decline in production due to government’s inconsistent policies, demanding that it should be featured on TDA’s export promotion priorities.
“The TDAP should give due importance to international exhibitions which could accelerate the depleting exports. PAAPAM sends its teams to global events for studying world automotive industry and introducing its members to international market and build up their businesses keeping in view global economies and scales.”
Criticizing TDAP subsidy ratio, which has declined to 60:40 from 80:20, PAAPAM SVC said Pakistan has been a late entrant in world engineering market and needed support to fulfill the immense potential for exports. He asked TDAP to enhance its allocations of funds to ensure more participation of auto engineering sector in global fairs in view of the sector’s huge potential of growth.