KARACHI, Dec 8: Commerce Minister Shahzada Alam Mannoo has ordered reconstitution of the board of directors of the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) to make it more balance and effective.

During his visit to TDAP offices here on Saturday, the minister also assured TADP chief executive Tariq Ikram that he would take up the shortfall in the annual budget of the authority in the cabinet meeting.

Earlier, Mr Ikram informed the minister that a more market-focused strategy had been evolved to boost exports of textile, garments, leather garments etc.

He further said that special attention was being given to emerging markets such as Russia and China. The authority was also planning to send trade delegation to 45 countries to explore markets for 29 products.

The meeting was attended by Secretary Commerce Asif Shah, additional secretary commerce, secretary TDAP and other senior officials of the authority.

APP adds: Caretaker commerce minister Shahzada Alam Mannoo said on Saturday that the proposal to allow import of normal cotton from India via Wagah border will be submitted in the next meeting of the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC).

Addressing members of the Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), he said the textile industry had been facing shortage of cotton and the government would make every effort to facilitate the availability of this vital raw material for the local industry.

Commerce secretary Asif Shah, TDAP chief executive Tariq Ikram, textile secretary Zafar Mahmood were also present.

He said textile was the major industry and the largest export item and needed special attention.

The government, he said, would take every possible measure to provide support to this industry.

He, however, said that prices of oil, electricity and gas were beyond government’s control, but it can look at the markup rates of banks for textile sector.

Responding to a demand regarding anti-dumping duties on Pakistan bed linen, the minister said the government would make every effort for withdrawal of this duty much before the normal period of five years.

He informed the FPCCI leadership that the Export Development Fund (EDF) board had allowed the release of remaining amount for research and development department at the FPCCI.

Mannoo said the government had adopted a five-pronged strategy to boost country’s exports.

Referring to the ambitious export target of $ 45 billion for next six years, he said this would be met despite all the present challenges being faced by the country.

Commerce secretary Asif Shah said that trade ordinance was very much alive and legal. It is renewed after every quarter until tabled and approved by the next parliament.

He urged the businessmen to focus on a huge Chinese market which is opened for Pakistani exporters with zero duty access under FTA.

Earlier, FPCCI President Tanvir Ahmad Sheikh highlighted the problems facing businessmen specially textile sector.

He urged the government to allow import of normal Indian cotton other than the long staple via Wagah border. He also appealed to allow import of polyester fibre from India.

SUGAR: During his visit to the TCP offices, the caretaker commerce minister asked the TCP to ensure implementation of Economic Coordination Committee’s decision to buy 500,000 tons of sugar from local industry which is facing financial crisis.