Secretary General (Federal) of the Businessmen Panel (BMP), Ahmad Jawad while talking to media men said Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) has lost its relevance because of the country's changing export base.
However the incumbent government is likely to appoint a new Chief Executive (CE) of the Authority. "We hope a dynamic and non controversial person, expert on international trade may assume the command of this organization which is much needed for the business community," he added. He said the objective of the establishment of TDAP in 2006 was to facilitate exports. Over the years, the organization has turned from being an export promotion department into an event management company, as there are 13 sub-offices of the authority across Pakistan. "I think the government should reform TDAP after the appointment of new Chief Executive," he suggested, adding that spending millions of rupees on foreign visits will not promote exports. The focus must be on the domestic market and its supply chain, Jawad stated.
He said Commerce Division is still facing a 'troubled situation' on the appointment of Chief Executive TDAP after Senate Standing Committee on Commerce and Textile unanimously recommended that the process should be stopped with immediate effect. A high-level committee interviewed as many as 10 candidates two months back including some former FPCCI officials.
Further there were also speculations in Commerce Division that recently retired Finance Secretary Arif Khan is the top favorite candidate of CE post due to official relations but that option is seems to be in vain; he added.
Precisely, the appointment of CE TDAP also came in the limelight when Leader of the House in Senate, Syed Shibli Faraz criticized the organization for rampant corruption, overstaffing and dysfunctionality. Faraz who is a former chairman of standing committee maintained that the committee's recommendations are thrown in the dustbin or simply not recognized. The committee recommended that TDAP offices should be shifted to Islamabad but this recommendation has not been honored.
Jawad further briefed there was a strong view that bureaucrats do not know matters relating to trade enhancement and effective trade diplomacy, and the suggestion was that CE should be from the private sector. It may also recall here, Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) requested the government that Chief Executive TDAP should be hired from the private sector.
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