Islamabad: Minister of State for Finance and Railways Bilal Azhar Kayani reaffirmed the government’s commitment to enhancing the export sector and improving the ease of doing business, urging Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) engaged in exports to capitalize on the Export Facilitation Scheme (EFS).

According to Press Information Department, Kayani made these remarks while leading a consultative meeting of the Prime Minister’s Committee to Review the Export Facilitation Scheme at the Finance Division. The meeting included attendees such as the Secretary of Commerce, Special Secretaries from Finance and Commerce, senior officials from the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), and representatives from the All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA), Pakistan Textile Exporters Association (PTEA), and the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry, along with prominent exporters via video link.

During the session, proposals were reviewed to streamline the scheme, enhance its efficiency, and align it with evolving trade dynamics. Kayani emphasized that the qualification criteria for inclusion in any EFS category would be uniformly applied, with no exemptions to standard operating procedures.

The Minister of State instructed relevant authorities to clarify and simplify regulations governing the import of capital goods and manufacturing machinery for exporters. An in-depth review of amendments aimed at reducing export overheads, encouraging local value addition, and stimulating domestic manufacturing was conducted.

Kayani reiterated the government’s resolve to review current exporter schemes to ensure they meet exporters’ needs and deliver optimal outcomes. The meeting concluded with a consensus to maintain active consultations with all stakeholders and trade bodies to drive export growth and accelerate national economic activity.