Trade policy framework: some facts

This is apropos a news item "PM scraps unrealistic trade policy framework" carried by Business Recorder on January 7. The trade policy framework is neither 'unrealistic', nor is there a shred of evidence that it is being 'scrapped'.
Before being submitted to the Prime Minister, Ministry of Commerce performed stringent due diligence and broad consultation on the STPF 2015-18, which was prepared after in-depth discussion with all the relevant stakeholders both in public and in private sector; including Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce (FPCCI), chambers of commerce nationwide, trade associations, Pak missions and commercial officers abroad, academia, and trade experts.
After finalisation, the draft STPF was submitted to the Cabinet Committee on Production and Exports, constituted by the Prime Minister and headed by the Finance Minister. This Committee consisted of relevant Federal Ministers, Parliamentary Secretaries and Federal Secretaries of the respective Divisions. After two intensive meetings, the Cabinet Committee on Production and Exports approved the STPF 2015-18 and the proposals submitted therein.
During the phase of presentation of the STPF, Ministry of Commerce hosted a marathon session with all the leading Exporters Association and attended by Ministers as well as senior officials of Divisions of Finance, Revenue, Water and Power, Planning and Development, Petroleum and Natural Resources, besides Commerce. On 11 September 2015, Prime Minister held a 5-hour long interaction with exporters associations and listened directly to their grievances.
In pursuance to the decision of the Cabinet Committee on Production and Exports; and in light of the Prime Minister's interaction with exporters, Ministry of Commerce submitted the STPF 2015-18 document to the Chairman of the Cabinet Committee. After thorough examination of the STPF document, the Finance Minister/Chairman endorsed STPF 2015-18 in entirety for subsequent approval of the Prime Minister. The decision in the matter is awaited.
Utmost care has been taken while drafting proposals, including incentives being provided to the sectors having potential for enhancing exports of the country. STPF 2015-18 addresses structural issues in Pakistan's competitiveness. Major thrust of the framework thus is support for technology upgradation, product development, and branding & certification, apart from support to agro processing SMEs. Market access, Trade diplomacy, and Institutional development are important pillars of the STPF.
Parliament already has approved Ministry of Commerce's budgetary allocations for these initiatives in the Budget 2015-16. Business processes have been formulated in co-operation with State Bank of Pakistan and are in place. The Ministry is thus fully primed to deliver on its policy commitments in the STPF. This delivery will instill confidence in exporters. STPF 2015-18 will have a significant impact on boosting exports of the country.