The Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) would be converted into a semi-autonomous body, 'Trade Development Authority of Pakistan' within next two months. This was stated by EPB Chairman Tariq Ikram while speaking at his reception, organised by the Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (Reap) at the residence of a rice exporter, Mahboob Ahmed, here on Wednesday. The EPB chief said the proposal for re-organisation of the Bureau has been submitted to the government, and hoped that the same would be done in next two months under an Act of parliament.
He said the EPB needed re-organisation to improve its performance. "We were facing many hurdles in taking immediate decisions, as the EPB has limited powers in this regard", said Tariq Ikram, adding the proposed 'Trade Development Authority of Pakistan' would be a semi-autonomous body, and it would be more independent than the Bureau.
He said that the Pakistan export volume has been increasing every year and it is touching the figure of $14 billion in the current fiscal year.
"I am fully satisfied with the current trade policy, which helped increase exports", he said, adding: "We are exploring new markets in different parts of the world."
Now Pakistan exports have reached Africa and Eastern European countries, while South America and the Central Asia are our new destinations, he added.
Tariq Ikram said the EPB is also focusing on the export of non-traditional items and around 1005 new items were included in the increasing export volume during the last two years. He appreciated Reap, which played a very positive role in building the image of Pakistani exports especially rice in the world.
The EPB chief urged the Reap members to continue their efforts for increasing rice exports, and asked them to establish rice research institutes in the private sector. He assured them that the EPB and the government would provide all possible assistance to increase their exports and explore new markets.
Reap Chairman Syed Najaf Hussain Shah said that rice exports from July 2004 to April 2005 amounted to $718 million against the whole year's target of $665 million.
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