This is apropos the remarks of Saleem Mandviwalla, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, that the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan "should be done away with". It is ironical that the honourable Senator has made this suggestion today and not between years 2008 to 2013 when billions of rupees were being embezzled from TDAP, said senior spokesperson of TDAP.
"To date 90 were FIRs lodged, 50 arrest warrants issued and Rs 273,811,482 cash has been recovered from illegal activities carried out from 2008 to 2013 while senior political and bureaucratic figures are still under bail or arrest.
"As member of the TDAP Board, Mandviwalla would be well aware that no Board meeting was ever held in the past and that since its inception in 2006, TDAP operated without any legal cover of Rules or Regulations.
"Today's organisation has at last recovered from the terrible corruption and nepotism that it inherited from the past. TDAP Rules have been framed and printed in the official gazette and reorganisation has been done to maximise performance. Commercial counsellors, earlier posted on 'safarish', are now being replaced by officers selected by MoC through a careful and impartial selection process.
"TDAP is also strongly involved in export promotion and market diversification. Some 2000 exporters are supported in 120 exhibitions throughoutthe world. Single country exhibitions such as Aalishan in India and Sri Lanka have proved extremely successful bringing in strong orders, which will certainly be reflected in trade figures next year. Around 100 sector specific delegations have been sent and received throughout the world. Expo Pakistan has brought in bona fide buyers and become a strong brand for Pakistan.
"In supply chain development, TDAP has been working hard to address certification issues and has been able to bring in quarantine officers for approval of export of mango, citrus and poultry/meat to countries such as Japan, Australia, Egypt, Saudi Arabia etc. TDAP has synergized with USAID in agri-support, with CBI in export development and with JICA for targeted export of textiles to Japan.
"Mandviwalla's contentions that TDAP does not synergize with the private sector needs to be revisited, as the Chairman himself is a private exporter and closely linked with the business community.
"An analysis of trade trends shows an economic slowdown and recession all over the world with exports declining in large economics such as China, India and S. Korea. Concomitantly, imports have also taken a down turn with countries such as China importing 17 % less, Japan importing 21% less, and Korea 14% less. These global figures do not rest on the shoulders of TDAP and sweeping statements of closure should be made with greater judiciousness, especially since Senator SaleemMandviwalla appreciated the performance of TDAP during the meeting (s) of Senate Standing Committee of Commerce."-PR