Federal Minister Consults FPCCI on PM’s Advice Government Urged to Review FTAs and Prioritize Seed Quality Saquib Fayyaz Magoon, Acting President FPCCI

Karachi: Mr. Saquib Fayyaz Magoon, Acting President of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers
of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), has called upon the Government of Pakistan to conduct a
comprehensive review of all existing Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) in order to curtail trade
deficit – extending benefits of those agreements to Pakistani exporters as well. We need to
negotiate and activate the pending FTAs on the same lines to avoid any further disadvantageous
positions in future, he added.

It is pertinent to note that Rana Tanveer Hussain, Federal Minister for National Food Security &
Research, has consulted FPCCI in detail over the recent decline in food exports of Pakistan. The
minister informed the apex body that his initiative is based on Prime Minister of Pakistan’s
advice to take the business on board.

Rana Tanveer Hussain acknowledged that there are genuine and valid concerns of the business,
industry and trade community of Pakistan – which need to be addressed to reverse the decline in
exports. He assured FPCCI that the government will seek diligent consultative process with them
in taxation, industrial, sectorial and export promotion initiatives.

Rana Tanveer Hussain stated that the Ministry of National Food Security & Research and its
subsidiary institutions are rigorously and tirelessly working to provide best quality seeds in
ample quantities in a timely fashion. He also committed that he will bring federal secretaries of
the relevant ministries in his next visit to the FPCCI.

Mr. Saquib Fayyaz Magoon, Acting President FPCCI, identified that there are three major areas
of concern vis-à-vis declining food and agro-based exports; namely, the need to renegotiate FTAs
with major trading partners, provision of top quality seeds for major crops and facilitation to
agriculture industry and their exporters in meeting compliance standards of various industries
and regions.

Mr. Saquib Fayyaz Magoon maintained that a joint meeting of Federal Minister of National Food
Security; Federal Minister of Commerce and FPCCI is essential for result-oriented, data-driven
and holistic dialogue on the issues pertaining to agricultural production, supply chain and exports
issues.

Mr. Saquib Fayyaz Magoon underscored that the foundation of a robust export economy lies in
the quality of its primary produce. The Federation demanded the immediate implementation of
the national seed supply to ensure high-yield varieites through the introduction of
climate-resilient varieties along with investment in R&D and increased collaboration between
the private sector and research institutes to end dependence on imported seeds.

Mr. Aman Paracha, VP FPCCI, speaking during the high-level consultative session, highlighted
that Pakistan’s current trade agreements require urgent renegotiation to address growing trade
deficits and to provide a more level playing field for local industries and the agricultural sector
for economic equity.

Aman Paracha emphasized that while FTAs are intended to enhance market access, several
existing agreements have resulted in an influx of imports without a reciprocal growth in
Pakistani exports. "We need a 'Trade-First' diplomacy approach," stated Aman Paracha. "Existing
FTAs must be reviewed to include more value-added agro-based products and to remove
non-tariff barriers that currently hinder our penetration into export markets."

Mr. Tariq Jadoon, VP FPCCI, stressed upon the need for an urgent focus on export compliance in
lieu of the increasing global requirements for traceability and food safety. Pakistan’s agricultural
exports face significant risks, if compliance standards are not modernized, he added.

"Compliance is no longer optional; it is a prerequisite for survival in the global value chain," said
Mr. Tariq Jadoon. The Federation urged the government to accelerate the technical support to
exporters to meet Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) standards; particularly for the EU, UK, and
Gulf markets.

FPCCI concluded by recommending the establishment of a joint public-private task force to
oversee the standardization of export-oriented crops. By combining better seed technology with
rigorous international compliance, Pakistan can potentially double its agro-based exports within
the next five years.

Brig Iftikhar Opel, SI (M), Retd.

Secretary General