The Commerce Minister reviews energy costs, taxation, refunds, regulatory charges and international market access, seeking practical reforms to improve export competitiveness.
Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan has chaired a high-level consultative meeting with leading exporters and senior government officials to address challenges affecting Pakistan’s export competitiveness and identify practical solutions.
The meeting, held at the Ministry of Commerce, was attended by Minister of State for Finance and Revenue Bilal Azhar Kayani, senior officials and representatives of relevant ministries and departments. Exporters participated both in person and virtually.
The consultation reviewed progress on concerns raised during an earlier meeting, including high energy costs, taxation, financing constraints, regulatory procedures and access to international markets.
Trade access and energy costs
Jam Kamal Khan said the government was pursuing improved preferential market access through diplomatic and trade engagements with China, South Korea, Türkiye, Japan and Vietnam.
He said Pakistan was seeking greater tariff concessions from China, while discussions on preferential trade arrangements with South Korea were progressing. Officials also discussed market access for Pakistani tyre exports to Türkiye, urging exporters to provide product details and relevant HS codes to resolve outstanding issues.
Industrial energy costs, particularly the gas levy, featured prominently. Participants were informed that the Ministry of Finance had constituted a committee to review the levy policy, calculation formula and possible adjustments.
Exporters also raised concerns about the Punjab infrastructure cess, including its collection mechanism, legal framework, exemptions and additional costs.
Taxation and regulatory reforms
The meeting examined proposals to rationalise export-related eligibility thresholds, consider proportionate super tax relief on export-derived income, and address additional sales tax and refund arrangements affecting non-traditional exporters. These proposals will be examined with the Ministry of Finance and the Federal Board of Revenue.
Participants also reviewed the Export Facilitation Scheme, eligibility requirements and possible incentives under the export growth scheme.
Other issues included certification charges and documentation amendment fees imposed by the Department of Plant Protection, business visa restrictions, foreign travel advisories and insurance costs.
Expanding export opportunities
The meeting explored opportunities to expand livestock and dairy exports and discussed the importance of maintaining compliance with international commitments to safeguard Pakistan’s GSP Plus status with the European Union.
Jam Kamal stressed that even relatively small regulatory costs and procedural hurdles could undermine exporters’ competitiveness. He called for stronger coordination between federal ministries, provincial governments, regulatory authorities and businesses.
Exporters were asked to submit concise written recommendations identifying specific problems, proposed solutions and required government interventions. Relevant departments were also directed to provide updated positions and timelines for resolving outstanding issues.
The Ministry of Commerce will consolidate the recommendations into a comprehensive presentation for consideration by the Prime Minister at an anticipated high-level meeting.
The minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to reducing the cost of doing business, expanding international market access and strengthening Pakistan’s export-oriented economy.