Commerce ministry sets $26b export target for next 3 years

Dawood says regional trade will play a huge role in enhancing connectivity with Central Asian states

ISLAMABAD:

Adviser to the Prime Minister on Commerce and Investment Abdul Razak Dawood said on Sunday that the Ministry of Commerce was determined to achieve $26 billion export target in next three years by exploring new trade markets in the world. 

Trade diversification, regional trade integration through Gwadar Port and exploring new markets such as Africa region, North and South America and enhancing the production of engineering goods for increasing exports are on the main agenda of the government, the adviser told APP in an exclusive interview. 

He said regional trade and economic integration would play a huge role in enhancing connectivity with Central Asian states and Afghanistan.  

Another major focus is on expanding the role of digital economy and connecting with the international market to increase exports and create new employment opportunities for youth, he said. 

Replying to a question, the adviser maintained that the upcoming Strategic Trade Policy Framework would address the needs of the modern economy where online sales will make a significant contribution towards the economic activities. 

Dawood said while moving towards the goal of digital transformation, Pakistan had announced its first ever e-commerce policy in October, 2019. 

He said the policy was aimed at providing a launching pad to the country’s e-commerce market and its exports, while proving to be a driver of youth empowerment and employment generation through digital connectivity. 

Moreover, it would empower women entrepreneurs in Pakistan and encourage the micro, small and medium enterprises to play their role in the economic prosperity.   

It would also be a tool for export enhancement through connecting with global e-commerce platforms, Dawood said. 

The commerce adviser maintained that under this policy, a high-powered National e-Commerce Council will be developed at the federal and provincial levels for proper and effective implementation of the e-commerce policy. 

“The policy presents an opportunity to bring Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the mainstream and connect them with Pakistani as well as international markets through online platforms.”

Replying to another question, he said Pak e-SME programme will be initiated to identify, train, enable and connect 50,000 e-SMEs of the remote areas of Pakistan to online marketplaces for promoting e-commerce. 

“An e-commerce business facilitation hub will be created and a commerce aggregator will be developed with public-private partnership to showcase e-commerce companies of Pakistan in front of the world.”

Dawood said the existing federal and provincial consumer protection laws would be amended to adequately address consumer disputes arising through the e-commerce platforms.

“Consumer protection will be ensured through proper implementation of the code of conduct by e-commerce platforms and e-courts will be established for quick processing of consumer cases and their disposal in an efficient and effective manner,” he said.

“[In order] to promote financial inclusion and digitisation, efforts would be made to convert all Cash-on-Delivery (COD) payments into e-payment preferably within 10 years,” he added. 

“Availability of international payment gateways in Pakistan would also be ensured and all government procurements and transactions will be shifted to e-procurement and online payment systems within three years.”

The adviser further elaborated that the provincial revenue authorities would harmonise their GST collection system to avoid double taxation for e-commerce platforms. 

“Pakistan is on a stronger footing now with the e-commerce policy in hand. The commerce ministry will allocate requisite resources for the implementation of the policy which has become even more relevant in the wake of Covid-19 pandemic situation around the globe, driving nations to electronic modes of transactions both domestically and internationally.”   

Moreover, the STPF would ensure creation of liaison of different sectors' exports from conventional economies with online markets through e-commerce policy, he said.