Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) has expressed disappointment over the poor performance of the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) terming it as a white elephant and urging the government to either make it a really trade and export promoting entity or abolish it immediately in the larger national interest. TDAP so far remained unsuccessful in enhancing the national exports by minimizing gap between the exporters and concerned government functionaries.

Giving his views, Mian Shaukat Masud, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that lackluster and bureaucratic approach of TDAP towards business community have promoted communication gap giving rise to lack of mutual cooperation and coordination between the exporters and concerned governments trade and export development agencies. This practice was badly hurting the national exports. He said TDAP was assigned to work with businessmen & exporters in close liaison for promoting trade and maximizing exports of goods and services from Pakistan. TDAP was also tasked to help facilitate exporters’ capabilities and capacities. However, all these goals were just on paper while the on ground situation was that TDAP had miserably failed to provide any worthwhile help and support to business community for improving trade and exports.

ICCI President said TDAP was playing the role of just exhibitions organizing body in foreign countries while the best way to enhance Pakistan’s trade and exports with other countries was to include businessmen in foreign delegations as they were the real stakeholders for finding out export opportunities for Pakistan. But he lamented that the precious money was being wasted on the foreign trips of TDAP officials just to enjoy these trips instead of exploring business opportunities. He said that the government only changed the name of Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) to Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) which was still implementing the old and unrealistic policies of the EPB due to which it was proving an additional burden on the national exchequer. He said that increase in exports could never be possible without forging mutual understanding and cooperation between the exporters and the concerned government agencies meant for the exports promotion.

Mian Shaukat Masud also criticized the role of Pakistan’s Commercial Councilors in foreign countries who were making no worthwhile efforts for enhancing country’s trade and exports. He said due to their bureaucratic mindset, these Commercial Councilors were not providing any support to businessmen during their foreign tours for exploring business opportunities for Pakistan. He said they should be appointed on merit based on their professional qualification and capability instead of appointing political favorites on these key positions.