ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has directed the Commerce Division to fix targets of export growth as increase in exports is priority of the government.

The Prime Minister while chairing a performance review meeting of the Commerce Division on Monday directed that export growth targets should not only be fixed but also reviewed on quarterly and six months bases to ensure that annual target is being achieved.

The Prime Minister also directed the Commerce Division that an implementation strategy should be devised with respect to E-Commerce Policy and National Tariff Policy, which were approved by the federal cabinet.

The Prime Minister was given a briefing on implementation of targets set by the Commerce Division and future strategy, especially promotion of Pakistani goods in international market, and strategy to increase the country’s exports.

Secretary Commerce Division Ahmed Nawaz Sukhera briefed the meeting with regard to measures taken during the last few months, performance of policy reforms, departmental reforms, tariff reforms, legal reforms, changes in trade policy, tariff reforms, and increase in exports and efforts to reduce imports.

The meeting was informed that e-commence and national trade policies have been approved, Trade Policy Framework 2020-2025 is being given final shape and import and export orders have also been given final shape, while Textile Policy 2020-25 is also in the final stages.

The secretary added that institutional reforms included merger of Textile Division into Commerce Division, establishment of National Tariff Policy Center and Tariff Commission, reconstitution of Trade Development Authority for the promotion of industries.

The meeting was told that corporate culture in State Life Insurance has been introduced. The meeting with regard to tariff reforms was informed that customs duty on over 635 raw material goods was removed in the budget 2019-20 and apart from National Tariff Policy, Tariff Policy Board has been approved. The Prime Minister was informed that for the promotion of Pakistani good and increase in exports, participation was made in over 150 trade fairs and exhibitions, etc.

The meeting was also briefed on the measures taken to remove bottlenecks from exports growth and Commerce Division maintained that trade relations with China, African countries, Russia, South America and Indonesia have been strengthened to increase the country’s exports.—ZAHEER ABBASI