Islamabad: Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan recently led a high-level consultative meeting with leading exporters and senior government officials to address challenges affecting Pakistan’s export sector. The meeting, held at the Ministry of Commerce, focused on reviewing issues related to financing, energy costs, taxation, market access, and regulatory reforms.

According to Press Information Department, the meeting brought together Minister of State for Finance and Revenue Bilal Azhar Kayani, other senior officials, and representatives from relevant government ministries. Exporters participated both in person and virtually, as the dialogue built on a previous meeting aimed at enhancing Pakistan’s export competitiveness.

The meeting commenced with a review of concerns from exporters and departmental responses. Discussions centered on progress assessment, clarification of issues, and identification of policy measures needed. Minister Khan highlighted the government’s efforts to gain better international market access and improve trade arrangements with countries such as China, South Korea, Türkiye, Japan, and Vietnam.

For tyre exports to Türkiye, officials noted existing concessions under a bilateral trade agreement and encouraged exporters to provide product specifics for further action. Energy costs, particularly the gas levy, were scrutinized, with a committee set up to recommend policy refinements. The Punjab infrastructure cess, taxation issues, and export facilitation schemes were also examined, with proposals for rationalizing taxes and enhancing incentives.

Concerns over certification charges by the Department of Plant Protection, business visa restrictions, and livestock export opportunities were addressed. The meeting underscored the need for coordinated recommendations and effective coordination among federal ministries, provincial governments, and exporters.

The meeting concluded with an agreement that the Ministry of Commerce will compile recommendations for a presentation to the Prime Minister, reaffirming the government’s commitment to ongoing engagement with exporters and strengthening the export-driven economy.