Export dilemma: ICCI for revamping trade missions
Inclusion of private sector individuals to help the process.
ISLAMABAD:
The Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ICCI) has called upon the government to revamp trade missions by inducting well-qualified business professionals as commercial counsellors, to play an effective role in improving the country’s exports.
ICCI President Shaban Khalid said that the government is reportedly working on a formula to reserve 20% quota for appointing media persons as press officers in foreign missions to improve the image of Pakistan.
“Trade missions are meant to serve the business interests of the country,” he said. “Who could better handle such matters than the individuals from the private sector? A certain percentage of quotas should also be reserved for women entrepreneurs to serve in trade missions.”
Khalid added that Pakistan has immense potential to improve exports of traditional and non-traditional products, however, in some cases, due to lack of good professionals in trade missions, the country has been unable to realise its export potential. Business professionals have a better knowledge of market dynamics and if given a chance, they could contribute positively in exploring new markets for promoting exports.
“In 1981, Pakistan and Turkey had the same levels of exports, but due to better performance of its trade missions, Turkey have reportedly crossed $150 billion last year, while Pakistan is still struggling to export $25 billion,” Khalid concluded.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 13th, 2014.
The Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ICCI) has called upon the government to revamp trade missions by inducting well-qualified business professionals as commercial counsellors, to play an effective role in improving the country’s exports.
ICCI President Shaban Khalid said that the government is reportedly working on a formula to reserve 20% quota for appointing media persons as press officers in foreign missions to improve the image of Pakistan.
“Trade missions are meant to serve the business interests of the country,” he said. “Who could better handle such matters than the individuals from the private sector? A certain percentage of quotas should also be reserved for women entrepreneurs to serve in trade missions.”
Khalid added that Pakistan has immense potential to improve exports of traditional and non-traditional products, however, in some cases, due to lack of good professionals in trade missions, the country has been unable to realise its export potential. Business professionals have a better knowledge of market dynamics and if given a chance, they could contribute positively in exploring new markets for promoting exports.
“In 1981, Pakistan and Turkey had the same levels of exports, but due to better performance of its trade missions, Turkey have reportedly crossed $150 billion last year, while Pakistan is still struggling to export $25 billion,” Khalid concluded.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 13th, 2014.