May 17, 2006	Wednesday	Rabi-us-Sani 18, 1427

SIALKOT, May 16: Export Promotion Bureau chairman Tariq Ikram has said that the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) will be established soon for improving the performance of all commercial counsellors appointed abroad to promote exports of the country.

Addressing a seminar on “Warehousing in Kenya”, organised by the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) here on Tuesday, the EPB chief said that under the federal government’s new policy all the commercial counsellors would be answerable to the TDAP.

He said that the EPB had set up ultra modern warehouses in Kenya which would enable our exporters to display their best quality goods there and explore Kenyan market besides capturing markets in other African countries.

He further said that the EPB would soon establish a Research & Development Cell to ascertain the reasons for decline in exports of sports goods and surgical instruments from Sialkot.

Mr Tariq urged the Sialkot exporters to focus on the diversification of export items and explore new markets. “There is no doubt that the trendy Sialkot exporters have a great potential to capture international markets through exporting their best quality traditional and non-traditional exportables,” he added.

Punjab Minister for Industries Muhammad Ajmal Cheema addressing the seminar said that the upcoming trade and export policy would be business-friendly and the government would make all out efforts to ensure the continuity of the long and short-term economic policies.