Officers’ Delegation Visits PHMA To Know Exporters’ Challenges
Published September 01, 2026 | 05:20 PM
FAISALABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 1st Sep, 2026) The newly inducted civil servants of the Specialized Training Programme (STP), 32nd Batch of the Pakistan Institute of Trade and Development (PITAD), Ministry of Commerce, visited the Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers & Exporters Association (PHMA) House to gain practical insight into the business environment and understand the challenges faced by exporters and manufacturers here on Tuesday.
Delegation Details
The delegation was led by Suhail Ahmed, Director (Training), PITAD who stated that the visit aimed to provide newly inducted officers with practical exposure to the business and export sector, fostering better understanding between government institutions and the business community.
Key Takeaways
- The officers will assume roles within the 'Commerce and Trade Group'.
- Emphasis was placed on developing professional, constructive, and result-oriented relations.
- Direct interaction with exporters will help understand practical challenges in the export sector.
PHMA Perspective
Ahmed Afzal Awan, Senior Vice Chairman of PHMA North Zone, welcomed the delegation and highlighted major challenges in the value-added textile sector:
- High cost of doing business.
- Policy uncertainty.
He advocated for regionally competitive energy tariffs, taxation policies, and interest rates to maintain Pakistan’s export competitiveness.
Regional Competition
Awan noted that Pakistan’s textile and apparel exporters face intense competition from Bangladesh, Vietnam, China, and India. The recent reciprocal tariffs by the United States further complicate matters.
Q&A Session
During their visit, PITAD officers engaged in a question-and-answer session with PHMA representatives covering:
- Trade and exports.
- Production costs.
- Taxation policies.
- Energy tariffs.
Ahmed Afzal Awan urged the Ministry of Commerce to maintain regular consultation with the business community and formulate consistent, business-friendly policies to reduce production costs, improve competitiveness, and promote sustainable growth in Pakistan’s export sector.
Later, a commemorative shield was presented to Naheed Akhtar, Director, TDAP, and Suhail Ahmed, Director (Training).