Senator terms TDAP as non-functional

PPP Senator Saleem Mandviwalla has said that Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) has become a non-functional, failed and useless body and burden on exchequer, which should be closed at earliest.

Senator Mandviwalla who is also Board Member of TDAP has criticized the performance of a national body which has failed to recommend a national policy for maximizing exports of goods and services from Pakistan to the TDAP Board.

In a statement issued from his office, Senator Mandviwalla said that "He has been disappointed by the affairs of TDAP and is considering resigning from the office as the trade development body had failed to develop a consistent, sustainable and result oriented, holistic export development plan".

TDAP has failed to achieve synergy in development of exports at a national level by forging effective liaison with private and public stakeholders, he added.

Senator Mandviwalla revealed that Chairman TDAP and its whole team could not encourage and promote research in trade and policy related studies that may facilitate in formulating an effective export policy and plans.

In the last three years TDDAP has done nothing to increase the exports from Pakistan, the whole body is looking at the Ministry of Commerce and Finance to help them, he said.

He dubbed this a worrisome situation as in fiscal year 2015; exports were down about 4.8pc to $23.9bn from $25.11bn in 2014. The $27bn target set for FY15 was missed by a wide 10pc margin.