Pakistan's exports stuck near $30bn while Vietnam reaches $500bn, says LCCI president

Pakistan's exports have stalled at around $30 billion while regional economies have moved far ahead, Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Faheem-ur-Rehman Saigol said at a seminar on export documentation and FBR regulatory requirements in Lahore.

He pointed to Vietnam, whose exports he said had reached about $500 billion, as evidence that Pakistan needs practical steps to widen its export base and become more competitive.

Saigol described high electricity tariffs as a major problem for exporters and said the cost of doing business had to come down for Pakistani goods to compete abroad.

He said the Special Investment Facilitation Council had begun work on new sectors to boost exports, but that these efforts needed a business-friendly regulatory framework, simpler procedures and effective help from government departments.

Punjab Women Protection Authority chairperson Hina Parvez Butt, who also spoke, said registering FIRs in cases of violence against women had been made mandatory, and that women could report complaints through the 15 emergency service and the virtual women police station. She said the authority can provide shelter, psychological support and help arranging a safe place to live.