MUCH emphasis is rightly placed on enhancing Pakistan’s exports.
With foreign loans continuing to dominate the country’s economic landscape, it is only through boosting exports that we can hope to achieve sustainable growth and reduce our reliance on external borrowing. Export-led development not only brings in much-needed foreign exchange but also generates employment, strengthens local industries and builds investor confidence. The government’s repeated calls for increased trade and investment are therefore well-intentioned and aligned with the country’s urgent economic needs.
Yet, the sad reality is that while policies may exist on paper, the hurdles faced by businesses often undermine these efforts. The recent issue involving M/s Hangeng Trade Company, a Chinese firm operating in the Gwadar North Free Zone, is a stark reminder of this disconnect. The company, which specializes in exporting donkey meat and hides to China, faced months of bureaucratic delays that threatened to shut down its operations. What should have been a routine approval process for exports dragged on due to procedural lapses at the Cabinet Division and Ministry of National Food Security. Only after direct intervention from the Prime Minister’s Office was the matter resolved, allowing the export approval to be granted within hours. While it is a matter of satisfaction that the government acted decisively, the fact remains that such a situation should never have arisen. A foreign investor should not have to wait for months, facing uncertainty over approvals, while being pushed to the brink of closure. The damage has already been done. M/s Hangeng Trade Company has publicly warned other Chinese investors to carefully assess Pakistan’s policy execution gaps before committing capital. This is a cautionary note that could reverberate far beyond one company, particularly at a time when the country desperately needs foreign direct investment. It is therefore imperative for our relevant authorities to proactively engage with the Chinese side, address these concerns and ensure that similar hurdles are eliminated in the future. Pakistan cannot afford to lose investor confidence, especially given the broader geopolitical and economic pressures, including the fallout from the US-Iran tensions. Every potential investment is valuable and delays that discourage investors could cost the country dearly. The promise of export-led prosperity is hollow unless the mechanisms to support it are strong, predictable and investor-friendly.
