PM Shehbaz Sharif Approves Establishment of Trade Facilitation Board
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has approved the establishment of a high-powered Trade Facilitation Board to improve the country’s trade supply chain, address cross-border non-tariff barriers and enhance the operational capacity of ports.
The prime minister will personally chair the board, which will oversee the country’s overall trade supply chain and take key decisions on non-tariff issues hindering cross-border trade.
Chairing a high-level meeting on promoting trade activities and improving port performance in line with international standards, Shehbaz Sharif directed authorities to remove administrative and technical hurdles faced by exporters and importers.
The board will also develop a comprehensive strategy, roadmap and Trade Facilitation Index to monitor trade reforms and ensure that targets are achieved within stipulated timelines.
Emergency Measures for Port Modernization
The prime minister ordered urgent measures to increase the operational capacity of ports and ensure the smooth and timely movement of cargo.
Working groups will be established to focus on increasing port capacity, improving coordination among relevant public and private institutions, ensuring compliance with the regulatory framework and implementing a pre-arrival clearance system for goods.
The government will also work to facilitate the participation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in international trade.
Shehbaz Sharif directed officials to simplify the cargo handling and customs clearance processes for importers and exporters at all ports.
During the meeting, officials briefed the prime minister that ongoing reforms had resulted in a significant reduction in port charges, leading to increased use of the country’s ports by the business community.
The meeting was also informed that traders were benefiting from the facility of submitting Goods Declarations (GDs) before the arrival of vessels at ports.
The meeting was attended by Federal Minister for National Food Security Rana Tanveer Hussain, Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema, Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Muhammad Aurangzeb, and Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Junaid Anwar Chaudhry.
Prime Minister’s Adviser on Industries Haroon Akhtar, Minister of State for Finance and Railways Bilal Azhar Kayani and senior officials from relevant departments also attended the meeting.
Pakistan’s ports and trade routes have historically faced challenges including bureaucratic delays, slow cargo clearance and high port charges. Non-tariff barriers have also remained a major challenge to international trade competitiveness.
The latest measures are part of the government’s broader trade reform agenda aimed at removing bottlenecks, improving the business environment, increasing exports and generating foreign exchange.
The prime minister’s decision to personally chair the Trade Facilitation Board underscores the government’s emphasis on trade as a key driver of economic recovery.
