Govt reviews export incentives for priority sectors ahead of budget

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has begun reviewing export promotion measures and policy options for the upcoming budget, with discussions centred on strengthening exports and extending targeted support to priority sectors.

A high-level meeting chaired by Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Cheema examined proposals related to export promotion schemes and broader policy choices for the next federal budget, according to details shared from the meeting.

Participants briefed the minister on export policy proposals currently under consideration for the upcoming budget. The discussions focused on priority export sectors and the development of policy frameworks intended to accelerate export growth, improve competitiveness, increase the participation of small and medium enterprises in exports, and widen Pakistan’s footprint in international markets.

Focus on targeted support

During the meeting, officials reviewed a range of proposals linked to fiscal support, trade facilitation and incentives tailored to specific sectors. The deliberations were aimed at identifying measures that could help improve export performance while supporting industries considered important for growth.

Officials observed during the meeting that export expansion would depend not only on tax cuts, but also on improvements in factors of production, infrastructure, facilitation measures and the overall ease of doing business. The discussion indicated that a broader policy mix would be needed to make Pakistani exports more competitive in global markets.

The meeting also highlighted the importance of bringing more small and medium enterprises into the export sector. Participants discussed policy approaches that could help SMEs increase their role in export activity while also contributing to higher overall export volumes.

Cheema stresses sustainable framework

Ahad Cheema emphasised the need for a sustainable and performance-based export incentive framework. He said the approach should encourage both higher export volumes and greater value addition.

The review comes as the government weighs budgetary and policy measures aimed at supporting export-oriented sectors. The meeting’s agenda reflected a focus on combining fiscal support with trade facilitation and structural improvements to help expand Pakistan’s presence in international markets.

The discussions formed part of the government’s broader budget preparations, with export growth, competitiveness and sector-specific support emerging as key themes in the policy review led by the economic affairs minister.