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Islamabad:Pakistan has preferential trade arrangements with 93 countries. Its trade promotion authority participated in 91 international exhibitions and sent 11 trade delegations abroad in the last financial year, yet the country still has no registered Pakistani trade representative organisation or joint chamber in China. The absence of a formal Pakistani commercial organisation in China became a major point of concern before the Senate Standing Committee on Commerce, as senators questioned why Pakistan has not established a stronger private sector trade presence in one of its most important international markets. The committee, chaired by Senator Anusha Rahman, was told that no Pakistani joint chamber is currently registered in China and no Pakistani trade representative organisation is operating there. The Secretary Commerce said a Pakistani chamber could be established in China either as a joint chamber or as a branch, but it would have to meet the requirements set by Chinese authorities. He further explained that only one joint chamber from Pakistan could register itself in China under the relevant arrangements. Senators questioned why such an organisation had not been established despite the large scale business relationship between Pakistan and China. The Secretary Commerce said the reason could best be explained by the trade organisations themselves. The issue became more important when senators asked what real benefit Pakistan would gain from establishing a joint chamber or representative office. The Secretary Commerce said the Ministry of Commerce could not give a clear position on the matter and suggested that the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry and other chambers should provide their views. He said Pakistani private sector organisations could establish a chamber in major Chinese commercial centres such as Beijing or Shanghai, while the Ministry of Commerce would provide full support to interested chambers if they fulfilled Chinese requirements. Senator Anusha Rahman said a chamber could help Pakistani companies follow up more effectively on commercial opportunities in China. The discussion exposed a gap between Pakistan’s growing trade ambitions and its physical commercial presence in an important foreign market. The committee also examined the performance of the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan and its efforts to increase exports. The Chief Executive of TDAP said the authority was often blamed whenever Pakistan’s exports failed to grow, but export performance depended on several factors beyond the authority’s direct control. He pointed to production costs, electricity prices and the cost of financing as major factors affecting the ability of Pakistani businesses to compete in international markets. This means that simply sending trade delegations or participating in international exhibitions cannot guarantee higher exports if Pakistani products remain expensive to produce. The Commerce Minister, Jam Kamal Khan, told the committee that the Ministry of Commerce regularly sends policy proposals and recommendations to the government to improve the country’s trade environment. He said he had also proposed to the Prime Minister that reciprocal incentives should be pursued to increase exports. The minister said the Ministry of Commerce was working on new proposals to improve international marketing and increase Pakistani exports. He stressed that Pakistan could not become more competitive in international markets without dealing with the underlying costs faced by businesses and improving the investment environment. The figures presented by TDAP showed that the authority remained active in promoting Pakistani products abroad. During the last financial year, TDAP participated in 91 international exhibitions. The authority also organised or supported 11 trade delegations to foreign countries to search for new markets and strengthen business connections. Pakistan currently has preferential trade arrangements with 93 countries, giving Pakistani businesses access to special trade opportunities in international markets. However, the Senate committee stressed that trade agreements and international relationships must produce visible economic results. Members said Pakistan’s trade agreements should not remain only on paper. They should lead to higher exports, more investment and greater access for Pakistani businesses in foreign markets. The Chief Executive TDAP also clarified an important point about the authority’s financing. TDAP does not receive funding from the Export Development Fund. Instead, it receives government financing for specific projects. The committee also discussed the importance of stronger cooperation between Pakistani and Chinese institutions and private sector organisations. Senator Saleem Mandviwalla highlighted the role that Chinese international cooperation and trade specialists could play in developing stronger business and investment links. The discussion suggested that Pakistan needs to connect several areas of economic policy instead of treating export promotion as a separate activity. Lower production costs, cheaper and reliable electricity, easier access to finance, stronger investment policies, better international marketing and effective trade representation are all important if Pakistani companies are to compete successfully abroad. TDAP’s participation in 91 international exhibitions and 11 foreign trade delegations shows that the authority is actively trying to open doors for Pakistani exporters. But the Senate discussion also made clear that opening doors is only the first step. Pakistan must ensure that its businesses are able to walk through those doors with competitive products, attractive prices and the capacity to supply international buyers. The committee appreciated TDAP’s efforts but stressed the need for a coordinated national strategy linking trade policy, investment, industrial competitiveness, export promotion and overseas market representation.