ICCI seeks quota for private sector in trade missions

The role of trade officers is vital for promoting Pakistan’s trade and exports: ICCI president

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) has demanded that the government consider a certain quota of trade officers for the private sector in the new policy, which would help promote Pakistan’s trade and exports.

The announcement came after Prime Minister Imran Khan approved a new policy for trade officers giving 20% quota to overseas Pakistanis.

“The role of trade officers is vital for promoting Pakistan’s trade and exports,” noted ICCI President Ahmed Hassan Moughal. “Private sector representatives should be allowed to compete in the examinations for trader officers.”

He further demanded the appointment of those private-sector officers who fulfil the merit-based criteria. Urging the government to set annual export targets for trade officers, Moughal maintained that those who do not meet the threshold should be recalled.

He was of the view that such a move would improve the performance of these officers.  The ICCI president further requested that trade officers should be exempted from protocol duties so they could fully focus on identifying new opportunities for Pakistan’s trade and exports. 

Published in The Express Tribune, March 7^th, 2019.

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