Karachi, February 09, 2018 (PPI-OT): The Union of Small and Medium Enterprises (UNISAME) urged the ministry of commerce (MINCOM) to take steps to increase exports on fast track basis as the trade deficit is alarming. Zulfikar Thaver president UNISAME invited the attention of MINCOM to the lack of facilities for exporters to third world countries and urged them to offer low premium for export credit guarantee insurance to make the banks comfortable in financing the SME sector.
The other important points to be taken into consideration are finding new markets and new items for exports. Secondly there is urgent need to sharpen our trade attaches abroad to promote our exports. Thirdly there is need for efficient logistics to enable shippers to effect shipments to global destinations Thaver said.
The SME Council members said banking, insurance and logistics are the pillars of the economy and facilities provided by them will double exports. They said although the export refinance scheme is a wonderful facility but since the risk is of the commercial banks they are not inclined due to lack of risk management system.
The system of collateral man agent coupled with warehouse receipt financing and modern logistics is the answer to risk management shortcomings and need to be strengthened. The SME Council also emphasized the need for SME export promotion bureau to facilitate the value addition sector to supplement the efforts of the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP).
The meeting also discussed the lack of support for international marketing of our geographicalidentification (GI) items and the lethargy of TDAP in promoting them globally. A full-fledged cell must work on GI items like basmati, Kasuri Methi, mangoes, Multani Halwa, Sindhi Ajrak, Dandicut Chillies, Liaquatpur Gur and products and Nimco products.
For more information, contact:
Union of Small and Medium Enterprises (UNISAME)
75/1 3rd Commercial Street,
Phase IV, D.H.A., Karachi, Pakistan
Tel: +92-21-35884225-6
Fax: +92-21-35380642
Cell: +92-300-8245307, +92-321-8245307
Email: unisame@gmail.com