Islamabad: The fifth meeting of the Prime Minister’s Committee to Review the Export Facilitation Scheme (EFS) was held at Q Block, 6th Floor, Ministry of Finance, under the chairmanship of Mr. Bilal Azhar Kayani, Minister of State for Finance and Railways. The meeting was attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Commerce and Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), alongside representatives from leading exporters’ associations, including APTMA, PTEA, Sialkot Chamber of Commerce & Industry, and notable exporters.

According to Press Information Department, the Committee reviewed proposed amendments to make the EFS simpler and more predictable, while strengthening risk-based oversight. The review aims to reduce compliance costs, facilitate new investments, and ensure that concessions align with genuine export performance. The Minister of State stressed that eligibility requirements and prescribed procedures should be uniformly applied, with no exemptions.

The Committee examined proposed amendments with particular focus on simplifying exporter categorization, rationalizing authorization periods, and improving access to the scheme for both new and existing exporters. Discussions centered on facilitating compliant exporters, introducing a transparent mechanism, and streamlining security requirements, while maintaining necessary safeguards against misuse. The proposed revisions aim to reduce compliance costs, encourage investment, promote export growth, and ensure responsiveness to the needs of the exporting community.

The Minister of State highlighted the need to simplify relevant procedures without compromising revenue safeguards and reiterated the Government’s commitment to sustained consultations with exporters and trade bodies.