PM Shehbaz Sharif Approves Major Overhaul of TDAP to Boost Exports

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has approved a major restructuring of the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) to boost exports, improve access to international markets, and help local industries—especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs)—meet global export standards. The decision was taken during a high-level meeting in Islamabad to review the authority's performance and proposed institutional reforms.

The Prime Minister directed officials to complete the reform process by the middle of next year and ensure its effective implementation. A briefing at the meeting outlined plans to transform TDAP into a modern, internationally competitive trade promotion agency. The proposed reforms include narrowing the authority's responsibilities to eight core functions, restructuring its board and management, and strengthening its regional network.

The plan also calls for introducing digital platforms and artificial intelligence into TDAP's operations, along with measurable performance indicators and independent third-party evaluations. Officials presented a 12-month implementation framework covering approval, design, execution, and independent assessment of the reforms. The briefing highlighted the challenges facing TDAP's existing institutional structure and compared its operations with international trade promotion agencies that provide integrated services to develop domestic markets, connect exporters with global buyers, and strengthen businesses' export capabilities.

Prime Minister Shehbaz emphasized that improving access to international markets for domestically manufactured products is essential to increasing Pakistan's exports. He also called for developing a complete export ecosystem for agricultural products, covering the entire value chain. He directed TDAP to recruit qualified and well-trained professionals through a transparent, merit-based process, and said institutional reforms would only succeed if employee promotions were linked to performance and the achievement of measurable targets.

The Prime Minister instructed the authority to hire a reputable private audit firm to conduct its performance and financial audits. He noted that Pakistan has significant export potential and favorable geographic advantages, and that the government is working to facilitate industries and SMEs to make better use of these opportunities. The meeting was attended by federal ministers Rana Tanveer Hussain, Jam Kamal Khan, Ahsan Khan Cheema, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Attaullah Tarar, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, and Dr. Musadik Malik, along with Prime Minister's Adviser Haroon Akhtar, Minister of State Bilal Azhar Kayani, and senior government officials.