Expo 2025 Osaka
ISLAMABAD: The Export Development Fund (EDF) Board has approved 20 proposals worth over Rs. 8.5 billion to enhance Pakistan’s participation in Expo 2025, set to take place in Osaka, Japan. These proposals focus on key sectors such as textiles, agriculture, and global branding initiatives to boost the country’s export potential.
The 85th meeting of the EDF Board, chaired by Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan on September 20, 2024, saw the approval of these financial proposals, aimed at enhancing industries like textiles, food and agriculture, gems and jewellery, and defence.
The initiative also seeks to promote Pakistan’s overall global image through its participation in Expo 2025. Out of the 29 proposals presented, 20 were approved, with a focus on critical sectors that can contribute significantly to the country’s economic growth.
The newly reconstituted EDF Board, which met for the first time, includes a diverse representation of both public and private sectors. It comprises ex-officio members from key government departments like the Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Industries, the State Bank of Pakistan, and the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP).
Additionally, 15 members from the private sector, including prominent business leaders and Presidents of major Chambers of Commerce such as Karachi, Lahore, Sarhad, Quetta, and Sialkot, also participated.
Industry leaders, including Bilal Tata from Tata Best Foods, Aamir AllahWala from Tecno Group, and Mehreen Obaid from Towellers Limited, represent various sectors like value-added textiles, agriculture, and women-led enterprises.
During the meeting, Jam Kamal Khan welcomed the new members and stressed the importance of leveraging the reformed EDF to channel funds towards export-driven activities.
He emphasized the need for national-level initiatives that focus on value addition, research and development (R&D), compliance with global standards, and enhancing Pakistan’s export infrastructure. The objective is to improve the country’s global standing through targeted marketing and branding efforts.
The Board also discussed the significant reforms made within the EDF recently. These reforms include the notification of EDF as an autonomous body, amendments to the EDF Act to allow for direct transfer of the Export Development Surcharge to the EDF Public Account, and the digitization of the revenue collection system in collaboration with the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and Pakistan Single Window (PSW).
The EDF has also initiated a partnership with the FCDO Remit Project to develop its Vision, Mission, and Future Strategy. A Chartered Accountancy firm has been hired to restructure EDF, ensuring more efficient and transparent use of the fund.
To ensure continued progress, the Chairman directed the formation of various committees from the EDF Board members to oversee key areas such as research and development, technology enhancement, and international outreach. These committees will guide the EDF in taking a proactive approach towards supporting the country’s export sectors.
The Board also approved several projects designed to support Pakistan’s global outreach, including international exhibitions hosted in the country, such as Expo 2025 by TDAP and the IDEAS exhibition by DEPO.
Other major events like the Gems & Jewellery Show, the OIC Conference, and Wexnet, a women empowerment initiative by TDAP, were also highlighted. These exhibitions will not only provide a platform for Pakistani exporters but will also serve as a global branding exercise for the country.
In addition, the EDF Board called for a detailed analysis of the proposed MoU between EDF and PSW, to be discussed in the next meeting. This MoU aims to establish direct communication between exporters and the EDF using the PSW platform for market intelligence, need analysis, and targeted information sharing.
