Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan today asserted that deep-seated governance and implementation gaps, rather than flawed policies, are the principal cause of Pakistan”s economic difficulties, cautioning that without fundamental “house-in-order” reforms to internal systems, government incentives and trade concessions are destined to fail.
The minister’s remarks came during a comprehensive meeting with a delegation from the Pakistan Chemical Manufacturers Association (PCMA), where he specified that improvements are urgently needed in customs procedures, regulatory enforcement, and institutional coordination to ensure economic policies translate into tangible growth.
The PCMA delegation, led by its Chairman, had earlier detailed the pressures on local manufacturers, citing escalating energy costs, financing constraints, tariff rationalisation, and regulatory inefficiencies as significant burdens on the chemical sector.
Industry representatives also raised concerns that certain raw materials are imported at low or zero duty without a corresponding increase in downstream exports, a situation they argued undermines domestic value addition and weakens local industry.
In response, Jam Kamal Khan advocated for institutionalising sectoral planning through properly structured secretariats with clear mandates and time-bound objectives. He stressed that sectoral councils must evolve from discussion forums into effective platforms for long-term economic planning.
The minister reiterated the government”s commitment to diversifying Pakistan”s export base beyond its traditional reliance on textiles. He identified chemicals, pharmaceuticals, surgical goods, and food processing as key sectors requiring strengthening to build economic resilience, aligning with the Prime Minister’s broader vision.
On international trade, Khan proposed a strategic approach to negotiations, particularly with nations where Pakistan faces significant trade imbalances. He suggested leveraging large import volumes to seek preferential market access for domestic products in a data-driven, sector-specific manner.
Addressing export facilitation, the minister concurred with the need for an impact-based evaluation of existing schemes to guarantee transparency and prevent misuse. He supported a thorough assessment to measure their real impact on export gains and revenue before any future policy adjustments are made.
The industry leaders also emphasised the necessity of bolstering quality standards and intellectual property enforcement to eradicate substandard and counterfeit products, which they believe would boost investor confidence. They further argued that industrial progress should be measured not just by export figures but also by employment creation and tax base expansion.
Concluding the engagement, Jam Kamal Khan assured the PCMA delegation that their recommendations would be carefully reviewed and incorporated into ongoing policy deliberations, reaffirming the ministry”s dedication to a collaborative and research-based industrial strategy.