Policy reforms could unlock up to $1.9 billion in exports within a year

The Pakistan Business Council (PBC) has presented an export-led growth agenda to Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, saying timely policy action could generate between USD 1.1 billion and USD 1.9 billion in additional exports over the next 12 months.

According to a PBC statement issued Monday, the proposals were presented during a meeting in Karachi, where the council outlined sector-specific recommendations covering textiles, processed food, fast-moving consumer goods, pharmaceuticals, information technology, mobile phone manufacturing, rubber products and other export-oriented industries.

The PBC said its export acceleration plan could generate between USD 450 million and USD 700 million in additional exports during July through December 2026 if the government implements key policy measures within the proposed timeframe.

The delegation, led by Chairperson Zeelaf Munir and Chief Executive Officer Javed Kureishi, also presented recommendations aimed at improving policy stability, market access, cost competitiveness, regulatory facilitation and export financing.

Munir presented a proposal titled "Building Brand Pakistan: Unlocking Processed Food Export Potential," saying Pakistan should move beyond commodity-based exports toward higher-value branded products. She said Brand Pakistan was not limited to one sector but represented a national export strategy, adding that policy stability, institutional support and public-private partnerships could help the country shift from exporting volume to exporting value.

Kureishi said the PBC remained committed to supporting the government with practical private sector-led solutions to expand Pakistan's presence in international markets. He said the council was ready to help the government develop private sector-driven solutions that would enable Pakistan to build scale in global markets through export-led growth.

In a separate statement, the Finance Division said Aurangzeb described the meeting as the beginning of consultations for the next federal budget rather than a post-budget review, adding that the government had started the budget preparation process earlier this year to allow for a more structured and consultative approach.

The minister said the 2026-27 federal budget introduced taxation and financing measures to support exports, improve exporters' access to finance and reinforce the government's commitment to an export-led growth strategy.

Aurangzeb also emphasized the importance of policy predictability, reaffirming the government's commitment to implementing a medium-term tax strategy to strengthen business confidence, encourage investment and support long-term economic planning.

According to the Finance Division, the minister welcomed the PBC's continued engagement with the government and reaffirmed its commitment to structural reforms, policy consistency and creating a conducive environment for investment and sustainable economic growth.

Both sides agreed on the need for a time-bound action plan to address structural constraints, unlock export potential across key sectors and improve Pakistan's competitiveness in global markets.