Directs related authorities to work on ’emergency foundation’ to reinforce capability of the nation’s ports
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif authorised the institution of a Commerce Facilitation Board throughout a gathering held in Islamabad on September 3, 2026. Picture: APP
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday authorised the institution of a Commerce Facilitation Board, to be chaired by him, geared toward streamlining commerce processes and addressing non-tariff boundaries to cross-border commerce.
Chairing a gathering on commerce facilitation in Islamabad, the prime minister stated the board would take selections to enhance all the commerce provide chain and resolve points affecting cross-border commerce.
The assembly was knowledgeable that the board would put together a roadmap to advertise commerce, formulate a Commerce Facilitation Index and devise a mechanism to watch progress.
PM Shehbaz directed the related authorities to work on an “emergency foundation” to reinforce the capability of the nation’s ports and ordered the formation of working teams to supervise the method.
Learn: Panel proposes commerce hours extension
He stated these teams would give attention to growing port capability, bettering coordination amongst related departments, making certain compliance with the regulatory framework, facilitating pre-arrival clearance and selling the participation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in worldwide commerce.
The prime minister additionally referred to as for the simplification of transportation, clearance and different procedures for importers and exporters at ports, directing that “most doable facilitation” be supplied to the enterprise group.
The assembly was knowledgeable that ongoing reforms had lowered port prices, leading to a major enhance in port utilisation.
It was additional briefed that the ability for submitting Items Declarations earlier than the arrival of vessels was being expanded. The measure is predicted to hurry up clearance procedures.
Meals Safety and Analysis Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain, Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan, Financial Affairs Minister Ahad Khan Cheema, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Maritime Affairs Minister Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, Adviser to the PM for Industries and Manufacturing Division Haroon Akhtar Khan, Minister of State for Finance and Railways Bilal Azhar Kayani and different senior authorities officers attended the assembly.
Learn extra: SCO leaders undertake Bishkek Declaration to develop cooperation on safety, commerce and know-how
A day earlier, Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan instructed their governments to organize an motion plan to boost bilateral commerce to $200 million, as the 2 international locations sought to maneuver their financial partnership to a “qualitatively new” degree.
Earlier than that, leaders of the ten Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member states on Tuesday adopted the “Bishkek Declaration”, setting out plans to deepen cooperation on safety, commerce and know-how because the organisation marked its twenty fifth anniversary, with Pakistan taking up as chair to host the following assembly of the SCO Council of Heads of State in 2027.
On August 22, PM Shehbaz reaffirmed Pakistan’s dedication to additional strengthening ties with Malaysia throughout all spheres, together with safety, regulation enforcement, commerce and funding. In an announcement, the Prime Minister’s Workplace (PMO) stated Malaysian Residence Minister Dato’ Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail referred to as on PM Shehbaz on the Prime Minister’s Home in Islamabad.
Equally, on August 5, Pakistan and Iran had agreed to advertise border commerce by enhancing amenities to maintain their shared border open around the clock, bettering logistics and harmonising customs procedures. The understanding was reached throughout a gathering between PM Shehbaz and a visiting six-member Iranian delegation led by Iran’s Minister of Trade, Mine and Commerce Syed Mohammad Atabak.
