ISLAMABAD, July 5: Pakistan's trade missions abroad have recommended a string of proposals for consideration in the up-coming trade policy 2004-05 aimed at tapping markets for new products and increasing the volume of exports.

Officials at the ministry of commerce told Dawn on Monday that the proposals were received from almost all trade missions abroad, seeking more trade facilitation and incentives for tapping new markets for country's products.

The mission at South Africa in its recommendation stated that exporters might be encouraged to enhance the capacity of parboiling of rice in Pakistan. "The vegetable processing sector must be given incentives as there is growing demand for it in that market." It was recommended that the surgical instruments sector must be encouraged to diversify its products.

"South Africa's motor industry development programme (MIDP) may be considered by the government to make the auto industry export-oriented." Under the MIDP, the exporters of cars were allowed to import duty-free those models, which were not manufactured in that country, against export credit in a given period.

The Kenyan trade mission proposed to the government to announce a special incentives package for boosting exports to Africa. They also suggested that a voluntary quality control scheme should be introduced with the help of an international pre-shipment inspection agency, an insurance company and the Pakistan Standard Institute.

It was also proposed to update the traditional mechanism of trade dispute resolution in the up-coming trade policy. The Pakistani mission also suggested that the government should establish a number of export processing zones like the ones established in Kenya for setting up small and medium size enterprises for exporting to African countries and also to the western Europe and the United States.

Pakistan's trade mission at Jeddah stressed the need to develop an elaborate strategy to focus Pakistan's exports to the Middle East and also take the maximum advantage of the growing disenchantment of the people of the region with those countries that joined the invasion of Iraq.

The mission demanded of the government to create a virtual exhibition where the foreign buyers were able to appreciate different products/items available in Pakistan, including all technical details and pricing thereof.

This virtual exhibition should also offer placing orders to the suppliers through internet. An extensive Arabic website is required which could be utilized by at least 22 Arabic speaking countries.

The trade mission at Dhaka proposed that special measures needed to be incorporated in the forthcoming trade policy for the benefit of shipping lines carrying cargoes for Bangladesh.

Similarly, shipping agents engaged by exporters for shipments to Bangladesh may also be offered incentives. Measures should aim at having direct container service to reduce the cost and time of transportation for exportable goods.

"Our exporters will be better able to face stiff competition if suitable credit package is made available to them for attracting major buyers in Bangladesh. A wide range of Pakistani products will find new buyers if the exporters to Bangladesh are in a position to avail long-term soft credit facilities."

The mission further proposed that under the provisions of new trade policy, groups of exporters representing different sectors might be allowed to avail a package of marketing and publicity support.

"Such an arrangement will improve competitiveness of our exporters in Bangladesh. Joint ventures in textile, light engineering, transportation equipment, fruit processing and other fields can further strengthen position of our exporters in Bangladesh," added the mission.

Pakistan's embassy at Bangkok also proposed to the government for early finalization of free-trade agreement. It also proposed rationalization of cost of production of Pakistani products, specifically industrial product.

The trade mission at Tehran proposed that a policy/strategy be evolved to harmonize quality and quarantine standards of country's agricultural products with international standards. They also suggested to evolve suitable strategy for transit of Pakistani products through neighbouring/other countries.

"The government should accord priority to the establishment of common border market between the two countries in the upcoming trade policy. The government should also adopt suitable measures to control the smuggling and facilitate normal trade between the two countries.

Pakistan should organize a single-country exhibition in Iran. While Iran has so far organized three single-country exhibitions in Pakistan." Pakistan's embassy at Tashkent proposed that there was a need of low cost machinery and equipment in textile and food processing sectors in Uzbekistan.

"Such machinery and equipment being manufactured in Pakistan, therefore, could be promoted in Uzbekistan. And the government may consider setting up a credit line to finance imports of such machinery from Pakistan by the Uzbek investors."