KARACHI, July 21: The Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) on Saturday discussed ways and means to explore new markets and promote country's exports in the light of new trade policy 2007-08.

According to TDAP sources, this was the first meeting to discuss measures to increase country's exports in a strategic and comprehensive manner.

The meeting considered holding more exhibitions to promote exports of different sectors.

Chief executive TDAP Tariq Ikram, who presided over the meeting, said that the authority would hold exhibitions on the pattern of Pakistani exhibition arranged for the visiting leading Chinese buyers in Islamabad on July 18-19.

He said Pakistani exporters had secured orders worth $400 million from the Chinese buyers at this exhibition, which was organised within a short period.

The meeting also discussed various issues of the textile sector with focus on measures to be taken for promoting its exports to meet targets envisaged for the current fiscal.

Meanwhile, TDAP chief executive also discussed various issues relating to basmati and non-basmati rice with leading rice exporters and soughttheir input on the subject.

Rice exporters suggested that the TDAP should provide crop data, list of rice importers associations, global data on rice imports and health regulations of the importing countries. This information should be available to the rice exporters on the website of TDAP.

Tariq Ikram assured the delegation that the authority would fulfil their demands and facilitate them to promote country's exports.—APP