Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday approved a plan to modernise the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), the federal body that works to promote the country's exports. He gave the go-ahead at a high-level meeting he chaired in Islamabad, which also reviewed the authority's performance and the institutional reforms proposed for it. The government's stated goals are to increase exports, widen the access of Pakistani goods to overseas markets, and help local firms, including SMEs, meet international export standards.
What the reform plan proposes
Officials briefed the prime minister on the authority's existing structure, its performance and the operational problems it faces. A comparison with trade promotion bodies in other countries was also presented, highlighting the value of integrated services that develop home markets, open doors abroad, build exporters' capacity and expand trade.
The reform package would narrow the authority's mandate to eight core functions, restructure its board and senior management, and make better use of its regional network. It also proposes digital platforms and artificial intelligence (AI), along with measurable performance indicators and independent evaluations by outside assessors. A phased 12-month roadmap, covering approval, design, execution and independent assessment, was submitted to the meeting.
Deadlines, hiring and audits
Sharif directed that the reforms be completed and fully operational by the middle of next year. He also asked for a complete ecosystem covering the whole value chain for agricultural exports, and for highly trained staff to be recruited through a transparent, merit-based process. Career growth at the authority, he said, should be linked to performance and the achievement of targets.
He ordered that a reputable private audit firm be hired to carry out both performance and financial audits of the authority. The prime minister said Pakistan has large export potential and a geographic position that suits trade, and that the government is helping industries and SMEs make full use of these strengths.
Federal ministers Rana Tanveer Hussain, Jam Kamal Khan, Ahad Khan Cheema, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Attaullah Tarar, Shaza Fatima Khawaja and Dr Musadik Malik attended the meeting. Haroon Akhtar, a coordinator to the prime minister, the minister of state Bilal Azhar Kayani and other senior officials were also present.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Sarkar ne TDAP ko jadeed banane ka mansooba manzoor kiya hai, taake Pakistani masnooat aur chhote karobar bairuni mandiyon tak aasani se pohanch sakein. Is mansoobe mein TDAP ka kaam aath bunyadi shobon tak mehdood karna, digital tools aur AI ka istemal aur kaam ki azad jaanch shamil hai. Reforms agle saal ke darmiyan tak mukammal hone hain, is liye aam logon par iska asar abhi wazeh nahi. Filhal sirf plan manzoor hua hai, aur is ka asar dheere dheere zahir hoga.
