Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) has planned to establish agri-marketing integrated centres across the country besides providing assistance for opening retail sales outlets abroad in shopping malls with brand name registered in Pakistan.
It was decided in a meeting of all heads of TDAP regional offices and senior officials met under the chairmanship of TDAP Chief Executive Tariq Ikram here on Friday. It has proposed to set up an equity fund in collaboration with the ministry of commerce through pooling resources of private and public sector organisations for brand acquisition.
The meeting was held to review implementation of Trade Policy 2007-08 initiatives. Most of the export measures specially those relating to marketing, supply chain improvements, social environmental and quality compliance are being implemented by TDAP, the meeting was told.
For other Trade Policy initiatives, it is co-ordinating with different government agencies for implementation. Pakistan achieved export figures of $16.98 billion in 2006-07. For 2007-08, export target of $19.2 billion has been fixed. The government has announced export measures, procedural and regulatory measures and import measures to achieve fiscal export target in Trade Policy.
As per Trade Policy initiatives TDAP will have its representation in State Bank of Pakistan's Long Term Financing for Export Oriented Projects (LTF-EOP). The authority is also preparing a scheme for export-oriented units. The scheme will primarily have the same incentives as that of EPZ units.
TDAP has also chalked out a plan to set up a social, environmental and security compliance board with a view to educate, co-ordinate and monitor implementation of local laws, relating to these standards with the help of government agencies in Pakistan and to interact with buyers aboard. The Authority will establish Export Skill Development Council and also to convert existing institutions into Technological & Skill Development Resources Centres.