ISLAMABAD: Amid declining export proceeds, a parliamentary panel on Tuesday reviewed the performance of the Ministry of Commerce and its subsidiary, the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), in promoting the country’s exports.

The Senate Standing Committee on Commerce, chaired by Anusha Rahman, examined Pakistan’s trade performance, export promotion measures, trade representation in China, investment challenges and agricultural trade.

At the outset, TDAP Chief Executive Faiz Ahmed told the committee that the authority was often blamed whenever exports failed to rise. He stressed that export growth was tied to broader economic factors such as production costs, electricity tariffs and financing rates.

His concerns were echoed by Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan, who said the ministry regularly submitted policy proposals to the government to improve trade. He added that he had advised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to pursue reciprocal incentives to boost exports.

Mr Kamal said the ministry was working on new proposals to improve international marketing and increase Pakistan’s exports. He stressed that export competitiveness could not be improved without addressing the underlying cost and investment environment.

Providing details of TDAP’s export promotion activities, Mr Faiz informed the committee that the authority participated in 91 international exhibitions during the last fiscal year.

He added that 11 delegations travelled abroad during the same period as part of efforts to develop new markets and expand commercial linkages.

The committee was also informed that Pakistan currently has preferential trade arrangements with 93 countries.

Published in Dawn, August 26th, 2026