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Second PPDF Round table Meeting to Discuss Export Development Fund: Prospects for the Private Sector

Feb 11

10:30AM to 1:00PM

Ambassador Hall I & II, Marriott Hotel, Islamabad

Brief Concept Note:
 
Export Development Fund, an autonomous body and a peripheral wing of the Export & Import Department of the Ministry of Commerce, Government of Pakistan. EDF works under the administration of a Board of Administrators and the aim of EDF is to address bottlenecks faced by the exporters and producers of export goods & services in Pakistan with a view to increase the performance of export sector. EDF extends financial support for initiatives/activities which helps development and promotion of export trade in Pakistan. 
The Federal Cabinet in its meeting on May 30th, 1991 decided to have an Export Development Surcharge (EDS) equivalent to 0.25% of the export value of all exports to be levied from 1st July 1991. The proceeds of the Surcharge should be transferred by the Government to the Export Development Fund (EDF) for distribution amongst the various export associations for export development. The sources of funding of EDF are donations and endowments.  Whole receipts of the Export Development Surcharge collected by the federal government, grants made by the federal government and by any income accruing to the fund from its investment and property.
SDPI in collaboration with USAID Pakistan Regional Economic Integration Activity (PREIA) is convening a public private dialogue to discuss ways in which effectiveness of Export Development Fund could be enhanced. The specific areas which will come under discussion include: 
 
• Current status of Export Development Fund; ongoing reforms and prospects 
• Expectations from the private sector and business associations
• Desired coordination across various public sector and regulatory bodies to enhance effectiveness of EDF as a tool to help promote competitiveness of Pakistani goods and services exports 
• Ways to increase outreach and help private sector and business associations to frame better proposals 
We aim to facilitate, through this dialogue, three segments of the business community namely a) current exporters, b) past exporters (who are still running their business but finding it difficult to export), and c) potential exporters. There will also be emphasis on how services sector exporters and their associations can actively benefit from EDF. 
The above-mentioned meeting is also expected to result in specific incentives which could be streamlined by the relevant authorities if Pakistan is to take maximum benefit for available free trade agreements, GSP arrangements by EU and US, and other market access facilities. 
  
 Agenda
 

10:30AM

Registration,
meet and greet over refreshments

10:45AM

Welcome Remarks by SDPI and round of introduction

10:50AM

Introductory remarks by USAID PREIA

11:10AM

Technical
Presentation by Syed Abbas Mehdi, Executive Director, Export Development Fund

11:30AM

Discussion
by PPDF members and invited sector experts:

·        
Current
status of Export Development Fund; ongoing reforms and prospects for the
existing, new, and potential exporters

·        
Expectations
from the private sector and business associations

·        
Coordination
across various public sector and regulatory bodies to enhance effectiveness
of EDF as a tool to help promote competitiveness of Pakistani goods and
services exports.

·        
Proposals
and way forward

12:30PM

Response
from relevant government departments, SBP, SECP, & CCP

01:00PM

·        
Roundup
and approach to communicating policy recommendations by Dr. Vaqar Ahmed,
Joint Executive Director, SDPI

·        
Way
forward by PREIA team

Lunch

 
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