Export failure

1980, Vietnam’s exports were just $500 million, compared to Pakistan’s $2.4 billion. Today, however, Vietnam’s exports are 11 times higher than Pakistan’s $31 billion (World Trade Organization, 2023). Why are we so incompetent at increasing exports?

Is it due to a poor understanding of export markets, a casual attitude, corruption, a ‘self before country’ mindset, or flawed policies? To make matters worse, Pakistan is now forced to import cotton because we are unable to grow enough domestically.

Syed Hussein El-Edroos

Islamabad