KARACHI, Jan 22: Defence Export Promotion Organization (DEPO) forecasts an increase in country’s defence export up to $250 million in the next five years from the current $40-50 million.

This was stated by Director, Policy Planning, DEPO, Air Commodore Mansoor Malik in a meeting with members of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) on Tuesday.

“I am not satisfied with the current export figures as it should now have been four to five billion dollars like textile,” he said attributing the slow exports to lack of marketing expertise of public sector both in domestic and international levels.

The government is now focusing on the growth of exports through private sector in order to curtail the burden of foreign exchange of $600 million being spent on the defence imports. Pakistan is the sixth largest importer of defence equipments.

There are 500 manufacturer of various defence related products in the private sector and over 20 makers in the public sector.

He said DEPO is currently conducting market analysis of the Middle East, Africa, South Asia and South East Asia. Our first priority to boost exports in countries like Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Kenya, Nigeria, Malaysia and Kenya followed by second priority countries like Sri Lanka, North Africa, Algeria, Sudan, Congo and Zimbabwe where demand for our products exist tremendously.

DEPO is aiming to surpass the textile sector’s exports after 10 years if these markets are captured in a big way, Mansoor said.

The Organization is also holding a Defence Exhibition in September 2002 and DEPO members and some private sector people have planned to visit a defence exhibition in Malaysia in April to highlight Pakistan’s potential in defence exports, he said.

He said that Pakistan’s export is not restricted to only export of missiles, tanks and submarines but the country is well ahead in exports of telecom equipments, radars, night vision devices, laser finders, anti-tank rocket launchers and different types of bridge and tank transporters. Besides, non-traditional items like uniforms are also being exported.

He said DEPO’s strategy is to enhance manufacturing of technology related defence products in order to meet customers’ requirement because the global market is highly competitive.

He said a joint collaboration is being developed between the public and private sector so that exports could further be enhanced and capital, technology and expertise are pooled together and fully exploited.

Mansoor urged the private sector entrepreneurs to get involved in defence production so that various potential markets could be tapped.

He said under an action plan — DEPO has bee in close contact with diplomatic missions and foreign defence attache.