PM Shehbaz approves establishment of Trade Facilitation Board to streamline cross-border trade

Directs relevant authorities to work on 'emergency basis' to enhance capacity of the country's ports

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday approved the establishment of a Trade Facilitation Board, to be chaired by him, aimed at streamlining trade processes and addressing non-tariff barriers to cross-border commerce.

Chairing a meeting on trade facilitation in Islamabad, the prime minister said the board would take decisions to improve the entire trade supply chain and resolve issues affecting cross-border trade.

The meeting was informed that the board would prepare a roadmap to promote trade, formulate a Trade Facilitation Index and devise a mechanism to monitor progress.

PM Shehbaz directed the relevant authorities to work on an “emergency basis” to enhance the capacity of the country’s ports and ordered the formation of working groups to oversee the process.

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He said these groups would focus on increasing port capacity, improving coordination among relevant departments, ensuring compliance with the regulatory framework, facilitating pre-arrival clearance and promoting the participation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in international trade.

The prime minister also called for the simplification of transportation, clearance and other procedures for importers and exporters at ports, directing that “maximum possible facilitation” be provided to the business community.

The meeting was informed that ongoing reforms had reduced port charges, resulting in a significant increase in port utilisation.

It was further briefed that the facility for submitting Goods Declarations before the arrival of vessels was being expanded. The measure is expected to speed up clearance procedures.

Food Security and Research Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain, Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan, Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Khan Cheema, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Maritime Affairs Minister Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, Adviser to the PM for Industries and Production Division Haroon Akhtar Khan, Minister of State for Finance and Railways Bilal Azhar Kayani and other senior government officials attended the meeting.

Read more: SCO leaders adopt Bishkek Declaration to expand cooperation on security, trade and technology

A day earlier, Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan instructed their governments to prepare an action plan to raise bilateral trade to $200 million, as the two countries sought to move their economic partnership to a “qualitatively new” level.

Before that, leaders of the 10 Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member states on Tuesday adopted the "Bishkek Declaration", setting out plans to deepen cooperation on security, trade and technology as the organisation marked its 25th anniversary, with Pakistan taking over as chair to host the next meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of State in 2027.

On August 22, PM Shehbaz reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to further strengthening ties with Malaysia across all spheres, including security, law enforcement, trade and investment. In a statement, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said Malaysian Home Minister Dato' Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail called on PM Shehbaz at the Prime Minister's House in Islamabad.

Similarly, on August 5, Pakistan and Iran had agreed to promote border trade by enhancing facilities to keep their shared border open round the clock, improving logistics and harmonising customs procedures. The understanding was reached during a meeting between PM Shehbaz and a visiting six-member Iranian delegation led by Iran's Minister of Industry, Mine and Trade Syed Mohammad Atabak.