TDAP accused of squandering billions of rupees on exhibitions

Vice President of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) and Chairman Business Advisory Committee of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Riaz Khattak said on Sunday that the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) had become a white elephant with a massive drain on public resources by innumerable foreign exhibitions in popular tourist destinations but that failed to help boost exports.
In a statement issued here, he cited the official sources as saying that almost 400 international trade exhibitions were held in different parts of the world in the last four years (2012-16) at the cost of more than Rs 4.01 billion but, he pointed out, TDAP failed to increase the country's exports.
"Similarly, during 2015-16, the third year of the present government's tenure, the ministry of commerce earmarked Rs 1 billion for trade promotion," he said adding that during this period, Pakistan participated in 116 exhibitions in different parts of the world but due to poor performance of TDAP in displaying the items, the exports plunged to $20.8 billion against the target of $25 billion.
Riaz Khattak said that according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, country experienced a trade deficit of $4.8 billion in the first two months of the fiscal yea-$1.1 billion more as compared to the same period last year-after a steep decline in exports and double-digit growth in imports
He said that TDAP was the main body who organised international trade exhibitions in Pakistan and around the world to display the Pakistani items to help enhance the exports but their failure shattered the vision of Prime Minister.
FPCCI vice president said that Transparency International had already raised objections to the appointment of CEO TDAP SM Muneer.
He said that SM Muneer was not qualified for the position because of his age and nationality according to the criteria of appointment set under the TDAP Act 2013.
It may also add here that Senate Standing Committee on Commerce also expressed serious reservations on the performance of TDAP. The committee was of the view that TDAP was a trade promotion body to highlight Pakistani products in different market hence it was better to disband TDAP due to its failure that it a burden on the exchequer.