Country sees $3.5b surge in agri exports: Jam Kamal

ISLAMABAD, Jan 16 (APP): Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan on Friday said agriculture remained a major component of Pakistan’s trade as country witnessed a significant surge in agricultural exports last year, with exports increasing by around $3 to $3.5 billion compared to the previous year.
Responding to a Calling Attention Notice moved by Ms. Aliya Kamran, Ms. Naeema Kishwar Khan, Ms. Shahida Begum and Muhammad Usman Badini in the National Assembly, the minister said that the growth in agri-exports was largely driven by favorable international market conditions and timely response by Pakistani exporters.
He explained that a key reason for this increase was India’s absence from international markets for three to four years, which created an opportunity for Pakistani traders. “Our exporters capitalised on this gap, resulting in an increase of around $1.5 to $2 billion in exports,” he said.
Jam Kamal added that maize and sesame seed alone contributed approximately $700 to $800 million in additional export earnings, while overall the agriculture sector recorded an export increase of nearly $2.5 to $3 billion during the period.
However, the minister said the current season posed challenges as India had re-entered the international market with competitive and discounted pricing, backed by heavy subsidies of around $4 to $5 billion for its agriculture sector. He said this had particularly impacted Pakistan’s exports of non-basmati (short-grain) rice, where competition was more intense, though Pakistan still retained some space in basmati and specialty varieties.
Similar trends, he noted, were being observed in maize, sesame seed and other agricultural commodities, where exports had declined due to intensified competition.
Despite challenges in agriculture, Jam Kamal said Pakistan had witnessed growth and relative stability in other sectors, including textiles, services and information technology, over the past one to one-and-a-half years. He acknowledged that while growth was gradual, it reflected improving stability.
Jam Kamal also pointed to challenges faced by manufacturers, businessmen and traders, including issues related to taxation. He said some of these were linked to commitments made with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which could not be altered frequently. “Policy consistency is essential for business confidence,” he added.
He said the prime minister had constituted around eight working groups over the past six months, led by the private sector, to propose sector-specific reforms. These groups, he said, were working on key issues affecting common citizens and businesses alike.
Outlining export ambitions, Jam Kamal said the government had set a target of $60 billion in exports, while acknowledging structural constraints that could make achieving the target challenging. He said the government was simultaneously working on reducing electricity costs, addressing GST-related issues, improving trade facilitation and diplomacy, and promoting branding and Pakistani culture internationally.
The minister invited members who moved the Calling Attention Notice to participate in detailed discussions at the Standing Committee on Commerce, assuring them of comprehensive briefings and clarifications.
Later, the Calling Attention Notice was referred to the Standing Committee on Commerce.