Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the relevant authorities to prepare a comprehensive roadmap for increasing exports, particularly agricultural exports, reducing the country’s trade deficit. He was chairing a review meeting on the promotion of national exports in Islamabad today.

According to Radio Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif stated that achieving export-led development targets is the government’s top priority. He instructed that a coordinated strategy should be formulated in collaboration with the Rice Exporters Association to further enhance rice exports. The Prime Minister also emphasized the need to expedite institutional reforms aimed at boosting exports and providing maximum facilitation to exporters. He categorically stated that no negligence would be tolerated in the timely payment of tax refunds to exporters.

The meeting was briefed on the government’s overall export promotion strategy and presented trade figures from July to December last year. It was informed about ongoing efforts to increase exports from high-value sectors including engineering, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and processed food. It was further shared that work is underway to integrate Pakistan’s exports into the global value chain. It was also highlighted that improvements are being made in ports and logistics systems across the country to facilitate exporters.

The meeting was informed that negotiations are in progress with several countries for government-to-government agreements related to rice exports.