BMG chairman calls for better market access, value-added agricultural exports and a blue economy roadmap to strengthen Pakistan’s trade potential.
KARACHI: Chairman Businessmen Group (BMG) Zubair Motiwala has called for an urgent review of Pakistan’s Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with China, expressing concern that exports to China have increased only marginally while imports have risen substantially.
Speaking during a meeting with Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) Secretary Sheryar Taj at the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), Motiwala urged both countries to identify exportable products and address market-access barriers to establish a mutually beneficial trade relationship.
He welcomed TDAP’s initiatives to promote exports through preferential market access, digital trade facilitation, agricultural value addition and stronger public-private partnerships.
Motiwala stressed that Pakistan could not significantly expand export earnings by relying solely on raw commodities. He urged TDAP to attract international food processors and manufacturers to Pakistan to develop value-added products from rice, pulses and other agricultural commodities, creating employment and generating higher export revenues.
He also called for a comprehensive blue economy roadmap, stating that fisheries, aquaculture and maritime industries could generate up to $10 billion within two years. He highlighted the need to modernise fishing vessels, establish hatcheries and encourage investment in the marine sector.
Secretary TDAP Sheryar Taj highlighted the authority’s Preferential Trade Access Database, which covers 29 trade arrangements involving 93 countries and helps exporters identify available tariff concessions through product HS codes.
He also announced upcoming trade events, including the fourth FoodAg Manufacturing exhibition in Karachi from November 23–26 and TEXPO scheduled for April 2–4.
Meanwhile, KCCI President Talat Mahmood assured TDAP of the Chamber’s cooperation and said its TDAP Help Desk was expected to become operational within three to four days.
Mahmood also sought assistance in recovering approximately $1 million in outstanding export proceeds linked to a rice shipment to the Government of Oman, reportedly unpaid for around 18 months.
Motiwala said sustained government support and stronger private-sector engagement were essential to improving Pakistan’s export performance.