Daily Times

KARACHI: The absence of competent commercial attaches at Pakistan missions in Saudi Arabia (SA), Russia, China, European Union countries, Kuwait and Jordan has been causing export earning losses to millions of dollars as around 90 percent businessmen in these countries remained unaware of Pakistan’s large textile, leather, surgical goods, stone deposits and its status, as a potential supplier to the world.

Senior executive members of All Pakistan Textile Mills Association, Pakistan Apparel Forum, Pakistan Tanners Association, Pakistan Yarn Merchants Association, Surgical Instruments Manufacturers Association of Pakistan, Pakistan All Pakistan Marble Mining Processing Industry and Exporters Association (APMMPIEA) asserted that concerned ministries and bosses prepare policies without prior consultation with relevant industry people and then government expect from the business community to mould according to the policy.

Around 90 percent of the trade and business people related to these sectors in these countries were still not aware of the fact that Pakistan is among the largest exporters of textile products and garments, leather products, surgical, sport goods, marble in the world.

Agha Saiddain, Ghulam Rabbani, Sanaullah Khan, Rana Abdul Sattar and others said there was a need to create awareness to develop export potential of Pakistan in trade officials of Pakistan foreign missions.

The commercial officers in Pakistan missions are unaware of the quality and potential of exports and needs of importers for all sort of products and goods in these countries as they are not recruited on merit, they lamented.

Even trade officials were unaware of the function of Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) and new opportunities’ avenues for trade and investment in these countries, vital for boosting the competitiveness of Pakistan’s economy.

The business and trade community in EU countries, SA, Kuwait, Jordan, Malaysia, Australia, France and many more have been remained keen for quality imports of these products, but due to lack of trade inquiries and knowledge of Pakistan mission officials, Pakistan suffers huge forex earnings, they maintained.

Many countries who intend to import textile made ups and garments, surgical goods, sport goods, jewellery, stone and leather products mature import commitments with traders and exporters of regional countries of Pakistan.

For instance, China has been a leading buyer of Pakistan’s Black and Gold Stone, Indus Stone called as Yellow Jhangshahi, excavated in Sindh besides Onyx blocks from Pakistan.

China is a huge consumer rather than a marketplace only. The stone blocks are exported to China where they are processed to slates or tiles before being exported again.

Leather products, garments, stone events, surgical and jewellery fairs remained an offering and excellent opportunity for promoting exports but our missions people do not bother to provide reports to both sides due to lack of interest or knowledge.

Reconstruction of Iraq offers a big opportunity for exports from Pakistan.

In view of the Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) of Jordan with the USA, EFTA States, Preferential Trade Agreement with Singapore, and its easy access and trading relations with the neighbouring countries Jordan itself offers excellent prospects for exporters of Pakistani goods both for local consumer as well as exporters.

Trade Development Authority of Pakistan should call the genuine private sector exporting bodies in order to seek their suggestion in forming strategy to tap untapped and these markets.

Trade Development Authority of Pakistan to revitalise its policies in consultation with the concern ministries in order to inform the world about Pakistan’s potential in these sectors.