Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has approved the establishment of a Trade Facilitation Board to improve cross-border trade and address non-tariff barriers. The prime minister will personally head the new body, according to the Prime Minister’s Office.
The decision was taken during a meeting on trade facilitation in Islamabad on September 3. The board will handle non-tariff matters linked to cross-border commerce and work to improve supply chains, according to an official statement.
The Trade Facilitation Board will also develop a roadmap for promoting trade and formulate strategies linked to the Trade Facilitation Index. It will monitor progress and coordinate efforts aimed at making international trade more efficient.
Prime Minister Shehbaz also directed authorities to work on an emergency basis to increase the capacity of Pakistan’s ports. Working groups will be established to focus on port improvements and strengthen coordination between relevant government departments.
The groups will also work on regulatory compliance, pre-arrival clearance and greater participation of small and medium-sized businesses in international trade. These measures are aimed at reducing delays and making trade procedures easier for businesses.
The prime minister further directed officials to introduce measures that facilitate importers and exporters at ports. These steps will include making the clearance of goods easier and improving procedures that affect businesses involved in international commerce.
The meeting was informed that port usage had already improved significantly after reductions in port charges under ongoing reforms. Several federal ministers and senior officials attended the meeting, including ministers for commerce, finance, economic affairs, maritime affairs and food security.
