Pakistan’s business community has called for an urgent review of the country’s Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with China and the development of a comprehensive blue economy roadmap, arguing that improved market access, agricultural value addition and maritime investment could unlock significant export opportunities.
The proposals were raised during a meeting at the Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) with Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) Secretary Sheryar Taj, who outlined initiatives aimed at strengthening exports through digital trade facilitation, preferential market access and closer public-private collaboration.
Business Community Calls for China FTA Review
Chairman Businessmen Group (BMG) Zubair Motiwala urged Pakistan and China to review their existing trade arrangements, noting that exports to China had increased only marginally while imports had risen substantially.
He called on both countries to identify products with export potential and address barriers restricting Pakistani goods from accessing the Chinese market. A more balanced trade relationship, he said, would require practical measures to improve market access and expand opportunities for Pakistani exporters.
Motiwala also stressed the need for sustained government support and stronger engagement with the private sector to translate trade initiatives into tangible economic gains.
Blue Economy Roadmap Could Generate $10 Billion
Motiwala called for a comprehensive strategy to develop Pakistan’s blue economy, asserting that fisheries, aquaculture and maritime industries could generate up to $10 billion within two years.
He highlighted the need to modernise fishing vessels, establish hatcheries and encourage greater investment across marine-related industries. Developing these areas, he said, could help Pakistan tap underutilised maritime resources and create new opportunities for exports and economic activity.
TDAP Promotes Agricultural Value Addition
Addressing the meeting, TDAP Secretary Sheryar Taj emphasised that Pakistan must move beyond exporting raw commodities and focus on value-added products to maximise its trade potential.
Motiwala echoed this view, arguing that limited exportable surpluses made it difficult to achieve substantial export growth through raw agricultural commodities alone. He urged TDAP to bring international food processors and manufacturers to Pakistan to develop value-added products from rice, pulses and other agricultural commodities.
Such investment could increase export earnings while supporting employment and industrial development.
Digital Trade Platform to Help Exporters Access Tariff Concessions
Taj highlighted TDAP’s Preferential Trade Access Database (PTAD), which brings together 29 trade arrangements covering 93 countries. The platform allows exporters to identify available tariff concessions by entering a product’s Harmonized System (HS) code.
TDAP plans to organise training sessions at KCCI to help members use the database and identify opportunities in international markets.
Taj also reported progress in the digitisation of Certificates of Origin. During its first full year, the system enabled TDAP to issue approximately 40,000 certificates, benefiting around 12,000 exporters, saving Rs10 million in annual form-related costs and generating approximately Rs80 million in revenue.
TDAP Announces FoodAg, TEXPO and International Exhibitions
TDAP outlined several upcoming exhibitions intended to promote Pakistani products and connect local businesses with international buyers.
The fourth FoodAg Manufacturing exhibition is scheduled to take place in Karachi from November 23 to 26, featuring approximately 360 companies across 15 sectors. TDAP also plans to organise agricultural and horticultural value-addition exhibitions in Lahore in March and in Quetta in collaboration with provincial governments.
TEXPO is scheduled for April 2–4 at the Karachi Expo Centre, while a Made in Pakistan exhibition will be held in Dhaka from April 28–30, 2027.
For the Bangladesh exhibition, TDAP will subsidise 80% of stall costs and provide qualifying women entrepreneurs with 50% airfare support and a daily allowance.
Women Entrepreneurs to Receive Greater Support
Taj said TDAP’s WEXNET initiative would expand to Quetta following events in Peshawar, Sialkot and Sukkur. The authority had received 160 applications within two weeks and sought KCCI’s assistance in nominating experienced businesswomen to mentor entrepreneurs in Balochistan.
KCCI President Talat Mahmood pledged to nominate two women entrepreneurs for the initiative and support participation in the Made in Pakistan exhibition in Bangladesh. He also assured TDAP of strong representation from KCCI members at FoodAg.
KCCI Help Desk to Strengthen Exporter Support
Welcoming TDAP’s initiatives, Mahmood said the TDAP Help Desk at KCCI was expected to become operational within three to four days. The Chamber would circulate details of the services to its members and called for timely implementation of proposals submitted by the business community.
Motiwala also praised TDAP’s Pakistan Portal, which allows exporters to showcase their products free of charge, and its network connecting businesses with Pakistani commercial counsellors abroad. He said the authority could achieve greater results with continued government backing and stronger private-sector participation.
KCCI Seeks Recovery of $1 Million in Outstanding Export Proceeds
Mahmood also requested Taj’s intervention to help recover approximately $1 million in outstanding export proceeds linked to a rice shipment to the Government of Oman.
According to Mahmood, the payment had reportedly remained outstanding for around 18 months despite previous efforts to resolve the matter.
The request highlighted the payment and recovery challenges that can affect exporters, alongside the broader need to improve market access, trade facilitation and export competitiveness.