PESHAWAR: Joint efforts by all the public and private sector stakeholders are needed to redress the problems being faced by the Pakistani exporters. Such efforts should be based on broad national consultation to determine key policy responses required to promote growth and convert Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) into the engine of growth.

These views were expressed by the exporters and economicexperts during a roundtable meeting titled `Achieving Export Competitiveness in Pakistan` arranged by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute at a local hotel here on Thursday.

During the meeting, exporters and representatives of the manufacturing sector identified the areas currently affecting the competitiveness of Pakistani exports.

Zahidullah Shinwari, president of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chamber of Commerce and Industry, outlined the issues related to energy sector and highlighted the lack of product and market diversification, especially heavy reliance on the European market, within the local export sector.

Adnan Jalil, former FPCCI vicepresident, was of view that the federal government was unwilling to engage with local stakeholderswhile formulating relevant policies. He also highlighted gaps in the taxation system and called for an end to leakages in the form of corruption.

Sirajuddin, director Trade Development Authority of Pakistan, said that Pakistan`s exports had been under pressure for the past three years. He called for consolidating foothold in the existing export markets to promote growth. In this regard, he emphasised the government`s commitment to diversifying the export sector and prioritising marketing and trade promotion activities.

He said that Pakistan must determine why it had not been able to achieve desired results from the European Union`s Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) plus schemeand other bilateral and regional trade agreements.

Sabir Shah, adviser at the KP Planning and Development Department, said that the provincial government would develop sector-wise policies that promoted investment, adding that such policies would be finalised by the provincial cabinet by end of November.

Earlier, Gonzalo J. Varela, senior economist with the World Bank Group, explained that exports of goods and services in Pakistan and other developing countries had grown exponentially since 1980s. However, he flagged the downturn in Pakistan`s export sector in recent years and attributed it to the country`s inability to fully harness its trade potential. He called for effective policy initiadves toreduce tariffs and the costof doing business to increase the competitiveness of Pakistani exports in international markets.

Speaking on the dynamics of export competitiveness, Dr Vaqar Ahmad, deputy executive director at SDPI, emphasised on KP`s vast potential in several sectors, including gems and precious stones, marbles, herbal and medicinal products, jewellery, etc.

He urged TDAP to ensure that the province`s business community was fully participating in international trade delegations and exhibitions. He also stressed the need for providing infrastructure and modern facilities within the special economic zones estabhshed under CPEC in the province. He added that serious thinking was needed at the policy level to improve trade relations with Afghanistan.