PSW, EDF partner to boost export support, waive fees on declarations

KARACHI: The Pakistan Single Window (PSW) and the Export Development Fund (EDF) have entered into a strategic partnership to enhance support services for exporters across the country, including the waiver of PSW fees on export declarations.

This collaboration aligns with the government’s goals under the Strategic Trade Policy Framework (STPF) 2020-25, which emphasises the full allocation of export development surcharge (EDS) receipts to the fund. It also aims to create a comprehensive feedback loop -- from identifying contributors and assessing their needs to engaging representative bodies and evaluating the impact of export development initiatives.

Leveraging its role as Pakistan’s national digital trade platform, the PSW will work closely with the EDF to develop customised tools and data analytics to streamline export processes and support better decision-making for export growth.

We are excited to collaborate with EDF to support Pakistan’s exporters by providing them with the tools, data, and resources they need to thrive in global markets,” said Chief Executive Officer of the PSW Aftab Haider, in a statement on Monday.

“Through this partnership, we will not only help reduce exporters’ costs but also ensure the efficient use of export development funds, maximising Pakistan’s export potential.”

Executive Director of EDF Syed Abbas Mehdi noted that while the Fund has started receiving revenue directly from exporters, the next step is to establish effective two-way communication with them. This will help ensure resources are utilized efficiently and tailored to exporters’ needs, while also providing value-added information services.

Waqas Azeem, joint secretary at the Ministry of Commerce, praised the efforts of both the PSW and the EDF in launching this strategic initiative. He expressed hope that it would bring all relevant stakeholders onto a single digital platform, offering information support to policymakers for timely decisions and improving the efficiency of trade-related services for exporters.

Under this partnership, the PSW will facilitate the sharing of critical data on EDS collections with EDF, enabling more informed policy decisions and targeted support for key export sectors.

This data integration will aid in forecasting, reconciling receivables, and optimising fund allocation based on exporters’ specific needs. The PSW’s platform will generate sector-specific reports, verified information packets and market intelligence for the EDF, exporters and policymakers. The digitalisation of these processes will enhance the validation of export data and improve the identification of priority sectors and target markets for export growth.