Trade Development Authority of Pakistan has asked the industrialists manufacturing stationery items to boost their exports as there exists wide scope for it. In this connection a debriefing meeting was held here which was chaired by Minister of State and Chief Executive, Trade Development Authority of Pakistan, Tariq Ikram.
The meeting was attended by the Chief Executives and Directors of M/s Dollar Industries, M/s Infotech (Pvt) Ltd, M/s Indus Pencil Industries (Pvt) Ltd, M/s Wamiq Enterprises, M/s Mark Industries, M/s Aftab Sons and M/s Shahsons.
These industries had been sent by the TDAP to Paper World China, Shanghai' exhibition in November 2007 and Ikram reviewed the progress achieved since then. Discussion revealed that almost all industries that participated booked significant orders from not only the buyers in China but also from Turkey, Egypt, North Africa, USA, Europe and various other countries.
Almost 1500 exhibitors and a large number of buyers from all over the world were present in 'Paper World China, Shanghai' exhibition. Discussion revealed that apart from stationary items of paper, Pakistan's stationary industry was producing world class products of almost the entire range, which is quite large. Also international quality standards such as EN71, BS7272, BS5665 and ISO 11540 were being complied with by most leading stationary manufacturers in Pakistan.
These certifications have been done by international laboratories as no facilities for such certification are available in Pakistan either in the private sector or in the public sector. It was reported that Pakistan does not have any standards of its own and therefore, international standards were being complied with.
It was also revealed that in terms of environmental compliance, Pakistani products were not using any hydrocarbons nor xylene toulene based products. There is no child labour involved and therefore, the industry is socially compliant well.
The product range from Pakistan included almost all products such as pencils, staples, pins, glue, ballpoints, highlighters, fountain pens, inks, artist color, hobby colors etc. These products were of international quality and excellence of aesthetics.
It was noted that technologically manufacturing process in Pakistan was at par with the best in the world but the scale of production was smaller. The industry is cost effective, efficient and therefore, can compete with the best in the world such as Staedtler, Faber-Castell etc. There were no joint ventures in Pakistan with international companies and the industry has developed itself on its own efforts.
Exports of stationary items were now at $5.5 million having started from almost zero 8 years ago. The participants were most appreciative of the support that TDAP had provided in the last 8 years for promotion of non-traditional items and especially to the stationary industry.
Ikram formed a committee of seven business men led by the Chairman of the 'Writing Instruments Manufacturers Group of Pakistan'. Tariq Ikram tasked them to develop a strategy paper to raise exports from $5 million to $500 million in 5 years which the industry felt was achievable.
He asked the committee to develop a directory of manufacturers and exporters of stationary items, a seven minute CD of the industry and a brochure of Pakistan's stationary products reflecting the wide range of items along with specifications.
Ikram encouraged the industry to consider joint venture with international companies to be able to produce branded goods with buy back arrangement of the leading stationary brands of the world.
He reminded the industry to take advantage of the TDAP's scheme to support branding, opening of offices abroad and the warehouse for penetrating African market. He also offered that the industry could benefit from the TDAP's scheme of bringing in world class consultants for any aspect of business development including design, production, marketing and training etc.
TDAP has an agreement with BESO of UK where from world class consultants can be sourced at a cost of only British pound 3,000/-per consultant which would be shared 50 percent by TDAP and 50 percent by respective industry.
Ikram advised the WTO cell of TDAP to work with the stationary industry and develop proposal for the Ministry of Commerce to include stationary items in the FTAs, RTAs and PTAs that have been already signed or to be signed in the future. It was noticed that none of the existing FTAs benefited the stationary industry. He advised the stationary industry to develop application for ensuring that exports are zero rated which would enable the industry to obtain duty and tax refunds on their exports.
The industry complained that the existing refunds did not cover the actual duty and tax element. Ikram provided the deadline of 30 days for the development of strategy paper on the stationary industry along with the brochure, director and CD.
Based on the findings of the strategy paper, Ikram agreed to consider the inclusion of stationary item as one of the Developmental Sector in TDAP's export strategy.
It was also agreed that in the Export Turnaround Plan of TDAP along with the Core and Developmental Sector to be presented to the major buyers such as Wall Mart, Sams Club, Target etc, stationary will also be included.
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