ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday approved the establishment of a Trade Facilitation Board 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 establish a mechanism to monitor progress.
PM Shehbaz directed relevant authorities to work on an emergency basis to enhance the capacity of the country’s ports. He also ordered the formation of working groups to oversee the process.
The working groups will focus on increasing port capacity, improving coordination among departments, ensuring regulatory compliance, facilitating pre-arrival clearance and encouraging small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to participate in international trade.
The prime minister called for the simplification of transportation, clearance and other procedures for importers and exporters at ports, directing authorities to provide maximum possible facilitation to the business community.
Officials briefed the meeting that ongoing reforms had reduced port charges, resulting in a significant increase in port utilisation.
The meeting was further informed that the facility for submitting Goods Declarations before the arrival of vessels was being expanded. The measure is expected to accelerate clearance procedures and reduce delays in the movement of goods.
The meeting was attended by 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 and other senior government officials.
The development comes as Pakistan seeks to expand regional and international trade by improving border procedures, logistics and customs coordination.
A day earlier, Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan directed their governments to prepare an action plan aimed at increasing bilateral trade to $200 million.
Pakistan has also been working to strengthen trade links with neighbouring countries, including Iran, where both sides recently agreed to improve border facilities, logistics and customs coordination to promote cross-border commerce.
