ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday directed the Ministry of Commerce to formulate and present its strategy to double national exports in the next five years after consulting relevant stakeholders and entrepreneurs to deal with the mounting economic and financial challenges facing the country.
The prime minister issued to instruction at a high-level meeting on the development of the export sector at a time when Pakistan’s economy is dealing with pressing financial constraints and striving for sustainable growth.
The government’s effort to bolster the economy aims to increase foreign exchange earnings and reduce the trade deficit to address the urgent need for economic rejuvenation and stability.
“The prime minister instructed to facilitate exporters in the e-commerce sector, who manufacture their products in Pakistan and export them worldwide,” said a statement issued by his office. “He instructed the commerce ministry to immediately resolve the issues of exporters of the Made in Pakistan brand.”
The prime minister also instructed to involve stakeholders in the information technology, home appliances, textiles and other sectors to boost their exports.
Suggestions for the development of the export sector in Pakistan were presented at the meeting.
Pakistan has been particularly focusing on the IT sector to increase its exports.
According to official figures released today the country’s IT export remittances shot up by $257 million, or 14.9 percent, to $1.98 billion between July 2023 to February 2024 in comparison to $1.72 billion reported during the corresponding period last year.
PM Sharif sets goal to double Pakistan’s exports in five years amid economic challenges
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PM Sharif sets goal to double Pakistan’s exports in five years amid economic challenges
- The prime minister asks the authorities to facilitate exporters in the country’s e-commerce sector
- Pakistan’s IT export remittances shot up by 14.9 percent to $1.98 billion between July 2023 to February 2024
Pakistan terms climate change, demographic pressures as ‘pressing existential risks’
- Pakistan has suffered frequent climate change-induced disasters, including floods this year that killed over 1,000
- Pakistan finmin highlights stabilization measures at Doha Forum, discusses economic cooperation with Qatar
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on Saturday described climate change and demographic pressures as “pressing existential risks” facing the country, calling for urgent climate financing.
The finance minister was speaking as a member of a high-level panel at the 23rd edition of the Doha Forum, which is being held from Dec. 6–7 in the Qatari capital. Aurangzeb was invited as a speaker on the discussion titled: ‘Global Trade Tensions: Economic Impact and Policy Responses in MENA.’
“He reaffirmed that while Pakistan remained vigilant in the face of geopolitical uncertainty, the more pressing existential risks were climate change and demographic pressures,” the Finance Division said.
Pakistan has suffered repeated climate disasters in recent years, most notably the 2022 super-floods that submerged one-third of the country, displaced millions and caused an estimated $30 billion in losses.
This year’s floods killed over 1,000 people and caused at least $2.9 billion in damages to agriculture and infrastructure. Scientists say Pakistan remains among the world’s most climate-vulnerable nations despite contributing less than 1 percent of global greenhouse-gas emissions.
Aurangzeb has previously said climate change and Pakistan’s fast-rising population are the only two factors that can hinder the South Asian country’s efforts to become a $3 trillion economy in the future.
The finance minister noted that this year’s floods in Pakistan had shaved at least 0.5 percent off GDP growth, calling for urgent climate financing and investment in resilient infrastructure.
When asked about Pakistan’s fiscal resilience and capability to absorb external shocks, Aurangzeb said Islamabad had rebuilt fiscal buffers. He pointed out that both the primary fiscal balance and current account had returned to surplus, supported significantly by strong remittance inflows of $18–20 billion annually from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) regions.
Separately, Aurangzeb met his Qatari counterpart Ali Bin Ahmed Al Kuwari to discuss bilateral cooperation.
“Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening economic ties, particularly by maximizing opportunities created through the newly concluded GCC–Pakistan Free Trade Agreement, expanding trade flows, and deepening energy cooperation, including long-term LNG collaboration,” the finance ministry said.
The two also discussed collaboration on digital infrastructure, skills development and regulatory reform. They agreed to establish structured mechanisms to continue joint work in trade diversification, technology, climate resilience, and investment facilitation, the finance ministry said.
