Senate body raises objections to large number of DMG officers as trade, investment officers

ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Commerce on Tuesday raised objections to an increase in the number of DMG officers as trade and investment officers abroad arguing that after passing through tenure-based appointments, how they could contribute to promotion of trade.

The Senate panel was informed that there was a quota of 50 percent for trade and commerce groups for appointments abroad. In comparison, the remaining 50 percent were hired from other services, including Pakistan Administrative Services (PAS), Inland Revenue Service (IRS), Customs and others.

The Senate was also informed by the trade officer appointed in Toronto Canada that the Canadian government was considering a Generalised Tariff Protection Scheme on the pattern of GSP Plus from the European Union (EU). This new scheme might be introduced for providing benefits to countries, including Pakistan, on the pattern of Least Developed Countries (LDCs).

The Senate Standing Committee on Commerce held its meeting under Chairperson Anusha Rahman here at the Parliament House. Briefings were obtained from different Trade and Investment Officers (TIOs) appointed in different parts of the world. When Anusha Rahman inquired the TIOs about their service group, the officers replied that they belonged to the PAS group.

Senator Sarmad Ali raised objections as to why DMGs were being appointed to such trade and commerce positions. The chairperson of the panel inquired how they contribute to promoting trade and commerce after completion of their tenure and return with assignments of other administrative matters.

The Senate committee was briefed by the Trade and Investment Minister for the United States of America, Canada, Mexico, South Africa, and Ethiopia on the exponential demand for Pakistani products in their respective markets and the initiatives taken by Trade and Investment officials for export promotion.

The Trade and Investment Counsellor for Los Angeles said that the focus has been on the textile and IT services. There is huge potential for IT and IT enabled services as Silicon Valley encompasses the region. Additionally, TIO arranged conferences for interaction between Pakistani companies and the USA.

Furthermore, the Trade and Investment Counsellor for Houston, USA, highlighted the development of an IT center and the potential for IT services in the region. The demand for furniture in the state of Georgia provides an opportunity for Pakistani furniture makers

Senator Anusha Rehman stressed the inclusion of furniture industry in list of areas of export potential.

The committee discussed and recommended that officers of the Commerce and Trade Group should be posted as Trade and Investment Officers so that the ministry could benefit from their experiences gained abroad.

Moreover, the Trade and Investment Officer for Toronto, Canada, apprised that exports to Canada have increased from 388 million dollars to 440 million in the last two to three years. Of the total exports, textiles account for 60 percent of the export volume. However, there is huge demand for synthetic fiber products in Canada, and Pakistani companies are moving forward to tap into the synthetic fiber market.

Highlighting the export potential of Pakistani products for Mexico, the Trade and Investment Officer stated that Pakistan’s exports to Mexico stand at 266 million USD, making it the largest export of Pakistan to any Latin American country. Surgical equipment is the second most exported item to Mexico, with a 32 percent share after textiles, and there is huge potential for surgical and dental instruments export to Mexico.

Envisaging the export potential for Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the Trade and Investment officer apprised that Ethiopian imports from Pakistan stand at 46.9 million dollars, with rice being the highest export item. However, there is huge potential for pharmaceutical and surgical items in African countries.