FPCCI slams statement against TDAP chief

ISLAMABAD: Sheikh Khalid Tawab, senior vice president of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) strongly condemned the statement made by Riaz Khattak , criticising the performance of TDAP Chief. 

Khattak is totally unaware of the performance of TDAP, which after a long time has become a corruption-free and business-friendly entity under the leadership of S M Muneer who through his dedicated and devoted efforts brought about revolutionary changes, which has not only been appreciated by the prime minister, but also by the business community, at large, he said.

He also expressed his surprise and deplored the poor knowledge of Khattak, which is contrary to the fact and said that he is neither an exporter and manufacturer nor a businessman.

Tawab recalled that prior to assuming the office of TDAP Chief Executive Officer by S M Muneer in 2013, the TDAP was plunged into mega corruption of Rs13 billion scandals, involving high-profile political and bureaucratic personalities.

“More than 100 trade delegations and over 120 international exhibitions organised by the TDAP in the tenure of S M Muneer yielded fruitful and meaningful results in terms of procuring exports orders and promotion of Pakistan’s soft image on international horizons,” he said.  

The major cause in the declining trend in exports was global economic recession, over-valuation of Pakistani currency, decrease in global commodity prices, high input cost, particularly utility prices, which are beyond the control of TDAP and the Ministry of Commerce, he said.

Tawab said this is evident from the fact that apart from Pakistan the exports of other countries such as Turkey (20 percent), India (18 percent), Japan (14 percent), Indonesia (14 percent), China (12 percent), etc, have also declined.

Moreover, the decline in FDI from $5.4 billion in 2008 to $1.2 billion in 2016 is also a cause of decline in exports.

On the request of Muneer, the prime minister has agreed to announce special package of Rs100-125 billion for exporters.