Exports to Saudi Arabia register improvement

Shipments worth $418 million still below potential.

ISLAMABAD: Exports to Saudi Arabia are increasing gradually, but the volume is not yet satisfactory, leaving room for much improvement in coming years.

Goods shipped to Saudi Arabia in 2010-11 rose to $418 million compared to exports worth $393 million in 2009-10.

“Though we have seen a gradual increase in exports to Saudi Arabia in the last few years, it is not enough. With the help of private sector, we can enhance the trade volume,” a senior government official told APP on Thursday while listing the measures taken in the last four years to achieve better results.

He pointed out that no single factor would determine the volume of trade, in fact a combination of factors and a continuous and sustained strategy would be required to enhance exports.

He said exhibitions were an important promotional tool for boosting trade and the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) had organised and participated in different fairs and exhibitions to showcase Pakistani products.

Pakistan embassy’s commercial section in Saudi Arabia also organised some events including catalogue shows in Jeddah, Makkah, Taif and Madina to introduce Pakistani products in the region.

Moreover, several Saudi business delegations attended Expo Pakistan in Karachi regularly since 2009 and a lot of information had been provided to private sector trade bodies, government agencies and individuals.

Similarly, many business delegations of Pakistan visited Saudi Arabia to explore trade and business opportunities.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 28^th, 2012.          

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