Our Mango production cost is on the higher side in the international market. The cost of production is on the higher side due to increasing energy costs and Government policies. We are at about 150 positions when considering ease of doing business. Pakistani exporters need an export-oriented friendly Government policy. Electricity is too expensive. Corruption in customs has led to overheads. Slow processing of customs for clearance introduces exporters to adopt much-disliked malpractices. The exchange rate is an even bigger issue. The rupee is overvalued therefore exports are always dwindling. The use of outdated technology also leads to inefficient production. Thus, manufacturing errors in products and industrial downfalls.
Poor land, road, or rail transportation service also become a hindrance when it comes to reducing logistic costs. High Fuel costs also put a heavy burden on firms and can adversely affect their competitiveness. The availability of cheap fuel, especially electricity, is essential to boost exports. Understanding Import and Export of Pakistan Our commercial sections of the Pakistani Embassy in various countries are not effectively working to promote Pakistani Products.
One remedy is to create an export culture. The main problem lies in the planning; no one really planned for the future. Very hard to see things moving in the right direction in terms of making Pakistan an export-oriented country. Bureaucratic hurdles, corruption, injustice, bribery, and political interference are at the helms of affairs. Many documents are required for exports.
In most common opinion poor management structure, at every level, is to be held responsible for decreasing exports. We lack Physical infrastructure and compelling Export zones. Embassies ought to play an important role to represent the country’s products in respective markets. Exporters need facilitation from embassies with regard to successful trade missions. The involvement of successful export companies in each sector is necessary. These successful export companies must be engaged in policy amendments to trade missions. Respective Chambers of Commerce need to educate local SMEs to come out of their contentment and look for global markets.
Mangoes from PakistanShezan International Limited is a Pakistani beverage corporation and manufacturer. It has various products including soft drinks, juices, ketchup, and jams. The company is also the single largest grower of mangoes in Pakistan. Two industries, Agriculture and Overseas Pakistanis are hope at this stage for a large number of intellectuals; unfortunately, these are not our priorities. I am a strong believer that Pakistan can do better in terms of agriculture.
For example, Pakistani mangoes have a lot of demand overseas but almost 40% produced gets wasted due to an inefficient supply chain. Entering this value chain makes sense if one has the resources and know-how. We have huge potential and most success is obtained through individual efforts more Collective wisdom and efforts to be applied and learn from our mistakes and look to the future. By addressing a lot of these factors with a short-term policy setup to encourage exporters, by ensuring improvement around the power sector, by having a detailed review of tax policy; and technology up-gradation on regular basis, exports could be improved and the bill of imports of Pakistan could be countered. The best part is they know everything. We just need to keep pushing and highlighting these issues day in and day out.
