QUETTA - Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) director Abdul Karim on Tuesday said that lack of coordination among stakeholders on annual trade strategic policies had increased trade deficit to $32.5 billion from $20 billion during last ten years.
The TDAP director stressed the need for joint efforts to enhance exports and curtail imports to make Pakistan and ultimately Balochistan economically prosperous.
He was briefing representatives of the Chamber of Commerce regarding trade policy framework in Chamber of Commerce & Industries Balochistan Quetta.
Earlier, Abdul Karim was welcomed by senior vice president of Chamber of Commerce Muhammad Ayoub Khilji. Khilji also briefed the TDAP director about the problems of Balochistan traders. He said that the facility of banking system along other key facilities were not available to the traders of Balochistan in their business with Afghanistan and Iran. Ayoub Khilji also appealed the director to prioritise the suggestions and recommendations of the traders of Balochistan in order to address their grievances on top priority.
On the occasion, the director clarified that only the government can’t be blamed for all this mess as registered chambers were asked to present suggestions for trade policy framework but several had not sent their recommendations.
Abdul Karim maintained work on trade policy framework would be finalised till June and this policy would be presented before Prime Minister. TDAP director also said that talks were underway with Australia Chili, Japan and some other countries on imports and exports.
