Commerce Minister Makhdoom Amin Fahim on Wednesday gave a go ahead signal to trim the oversized board of directors of Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) and make it more functional and helpful to exporters. He was chairing a meeting, which reviewed the performance and work plans of TDAP to boost the countrys exports.
On the occasion, TDAP Chief Executive Syed Mohibullah Shah made a detailed presentation. TDAP Secretary Mirza Kareem Baig was also present on the occasion. The Commerce Minister asked the TDAP officials to submit a proposal in the next meeting so that the decision was taken on merit basis. Earlier, he was told that the present board had 28 members and most of them were unable to attend the TDAP meetings for one reason or the other.
This attitude of the members seriously affected the working of the board, causing delay in the decision making, the meeting was told. It was suggested that the TDAP board meetings could easily be convened if the board was reduced to reasonable size. The minister constituted a five-member executive council to chalk out plan to amend rules and regulations of the TDAP.
Headed by the Commerce Minister, the council will be the supreme body for decision-making. Earlier, Syed Mohibullah Shah informed the minister that Asia was the largest market for Pakistani exports with share of 41 percent followed by European Union (EU) with 28 percent, North America 23 percent and Africa six percent.
The minister directed the TDAP to explore and focus on Africa and Asean countries to promote Pakistani exports. He stressed the need for diversifying products other than textiles and explore new markets, besides traditional markets.
Later, talking to journalists, the minister said that he was fully satisfied with the performance and work strategy of the TDAP, and asked the officials to promote other sectors, besides textiles. He said that it was necessary to develop agro-based products to boost their productions as well as promote their exports.
"Pakistan produces unique quality of mangoes and other fruits and we should boost their exports," he noted. Makhdoom Amin Fahim stressed on quality production and value-addition to boost the countrys exports.
To a question regarding efforts for he GSP Plus in EU, he said that both the Commerce Ministry and the TDAP had taken up this matter with the EU authorities for duty-free market access to Pakistani exports. He said there was also a need to promote and develop fisheries sector to boost exports of seafood.