Tariff cuts give Pakistan edge in US market, APBF calls for SME support

Islamabad
The All Pakistan Business Forum (APBF) has warmly welcomed Pakistan’s new export reforms—country-specific export plans, a real-time Trade Alert System, AI-driven trade intelligence tools and the revival of Sectoral Export Councils—as critical instruments to sustain export growth and strengthen linkage with the business community.
APBF President Syed Maaz Mahmood and Chairman Ibrahim Qureshi said that while accelerating exports to $31.75 billion in FY25 is encouraging, policy makers must now open doors for SMEs by cutting costs, enhancing data driven trade policy and capitalising
on tariff cut opportunities under the US–Pakistan trade deal to outperform regional competitors like India and Bangladesh.
Syed Maaz Mahmood commented that introducing trade intelligence tools and country focused export strategies reflects a long overdue pivot toward smart policymaking, urging that innovation in trade facilitation must benefit exporters rather than merely serve as bureaucratic ornament. He stressed that improving ease of doing business through predictable regulations, smoother customs, and reliable logistics is essential if Pakistan is to harness the full promise of rising exports driven by value added sectors such as textiles, pharmaceuticals, and ICT.
Chairman Ibrahim Qureshi underlined that the export growth to $31.75billion in FY25—led by textile and non traditional exports like tobacco (up 135percent), cement (25percent), and plastics (17percent)—demonstrates the potential of export diversification.
Yet he lamented that unless SMEs gain access to low-cost financing, utilities, and tariff privileges, the full benefits of Pakistan’s upward trajectory will remain elusive. He urged that the US–Pakistan tariff concessions should be leveraged effectively to reduce production costs and enhance export competitiveness relative to India and Bangladesh.
Both APBF leaders agreed that SMEs, representing the backbone of export supply chains, must be empowered through targeted incentives, simplified procedures, and improved liquidity. Maaz Mahmood emphasised that the long ignored ICT, freelnacing, and creative service exports should now be mainstreamed through the trade strategy, while Qureshi called for regular engagement with the private sector through revived Export Councils to ensure policy decisions reflect ground realities.
APBF advocated for the swift implementation of AI based Trade Alert Systems which can provide exporters early warning about policy shifts, duty changes, or market opportunities—thereby reducing uncertainty and enabling quick responses. They also urged public private coordination in deploying export intelligence not just for large conglomerates but for SMEs, whose export volumes remain fragmented and prone to risk.
Highlighting that imports of capital goods rose 24percent in FY25—signalling improved industrial confidence—APBF proposed that these imports be complemented by export support aimed at value addition and upgrading productivity. Both leaders welcomed the planned revitalization of Sectoral Export Councils, urging that their membership include SME representatives and exporters from emerging services sectors to democratize policy input.