January 28, 2007	Sunday	Muharram 08, 1428

KARACHI, Jan 27: State Minister and Chief Executive of the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) Tariq Ikram has said that introduction of customised financial instruments along with better risk management should be encouraged to promote the exports of the country.

He stated this in a meeting with Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) CEO M. Tahir Sadiq here on Saturday. They also discussed various initiatives that would contribute to fostering better environment for developing trade.

Both the sides agreed that these initiatives could also benefit importers as such instruments help strengthen trade links the world wide.

They also agreed that encouraging and strengthening women entrepreneurs could work as a vehicle for the empowerment of women in Pakistan. Initiatives for introducing special financial instruments to promote women exporters should be encouraged by all banks.

They were of a consensus opinion that current excess liquidity in the country should encourage the banking sector for the development of a range of dedicated financial instruments for facilitation of exports and trade both through larger, as well as small and medium size exporters.