1. Prospects and Challenges to trade with Pakistan
Conference on “Trade opportunities for SMEs among SAARC & ASEAN Countries”
December 11-12, 2009, Chennai, India
Prospects and Challenges to trade with Pakistan
Naeem Anwar
Minister (Trade)
High Commission for Pakistan New Delhi

2. Scheme of Presentation
Overview of Small and Medium Enterprises in Pakistan
Organizations/Associations in Pakistan that supports SME Growth
Policy initiatives by the Government that supports the growth of SMEs in Pakistan
Trade opportunities for SMEs between Pakistan and India covering:
List of products exported by SMEs
Products imported by Pakistan
Export/Import statistics -  product and country specific

3. General Overview
Both India and Pakistan are SME dominated economies. The density of SMEs in each country accedes 90% of total business population.
However the size of the two economies, sectoral composition, trading partners and the proportionate contribution made by the SMEs is different.
In total bilateral trade Pakistan accounts for less than 1 percent of India’s trade and India accounts below 5 percent of Pakistan’s trade
In 1948–49, 70 percent of Pakistan’s trading transactions were with India, while 63 percent of Indian exports were directed to Pakistan.

4. Special Initiatives for Pak-India Trade
In Pakistan’s recent Trade Policy, following additional policy initiatives are offered to enhance trade with India
Inputs in DTRE will also be allowed to be imported from India, even if these are not included in the importable items from India, or manufactured locally.
import of machinery / equipment for mining / quarrying and grinding of minerals (along with spares) would be allowed from India.
Stainless steel is importable from India by train. In order to further reduce the cost of doing business, it has been decided to allow their import by trucks through Wahga as well.
Paddy harvesters & Paddy dryers may be provided on matching grant basis in rice growing areas. Furthermore rice farm machinery namely paddy harvesters and dryers will be importable from India through Wahga by road.

5. Organizations in Pakistan Responsible for SMEs Growth
Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority
SME Bank
Trade Development Authority of Pakistan
Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority
Skill Development Institute
Many NGOs

6. Promoting SMEs Exports
Agro Food Processing Facilities Center (AFPC) , Multan.
This Centre comprises of fruit processing (Mango and Guava Pulp), vegetable processing (Tomato paste/puree), Fresh Fruit/Vegetable Grading and Packing. Also provides training and consultancy services to SMEs. The major objective of this project is to enhance the exports
Gujranwala Business Center (GBC) is being established to provide business development services in the areas of product design, product quality and international standards and packaging. It shall provide display facilities to SMEs to market their products & services. The project aims to enhance the exports of light engineering, sanitary fittings, tiles, leather products, ceramics, plastics, auto-parts, fans, cutlery, electric home appliances and textiles and other industries that exist in Gujranwala.
Sialkot Business & Commerce Centre (SBCC) provides shared display, meeting and conference facilities to exporters of Sialkot city producing sports goods, surgical instruments, leather garments, gloves & accessories, sportswear and musical instruments. It shall serve as a one Stop Shop for international buyers, host exhibitions year round and provide business development services to small & medium exporters. The Project is under implementation.

7. Cont: Promoting SMEs Exports
Sports Industries Development Centre (SIDC), Sialkot is being established to facilitate technology up-gradation and human resource development of sports industry. SIDC will introduce new technology to the local industry and also facilitate in producing prototypes, train manpower, support developing new designs and facilitate in obtaining international patents to enhance the export of sports goods.
Women Business Incubation Center (WBIC), Lahore is an all encompassing facility providing display stalls, affordable furnished offices, one to one business counseling and other business development services under one roof for existing & aspiring women entrepreneurs. WBIC also provides training to women entrepreneurs and encourages them to export their commodities in international markets.

8. Sector Development Companies
Following Sector Development Companies have also been established that aim at upgrading production, improving marketing, and understanding and meeting consumer demands in order to enhance the export and global competitiveness of respective sectors.
Pakistan Dairy Development Company
Pakistan Gems and Jewellery Development Company
Pakistan Stone Development Company
Furniture Sector Development Company

9. Industrial Information Network
To enhance the integration of Pakistani SMEs in global value chain, Pakistan’s first B2B (business-to-business) and business information portal, Industrial Information Network was launched on June 25, 2005.
The objective of IIN is to use Information Technology to support capacity building for sustainable industrial development in Pakistan and promote the use of B2B E-Commerce in the country.
This web portal caters to needs of Small & Medium Enterprises from various industrial sectors in Pakistan with initial focus on Textile and Leather sectors.
IIN portal includes different sections on Trade Portal, Trade Bodies, Leather Industry, Textile Industry, Business Management & New Business Development, Govt. Rules and Regulations, WTO, Financing Information, Business News, and Shipping Intelligence.

10. Adoption of Best Practices
In order to enable SMEs to become integrated into global value chains, through adoption of best practices SMEDA worked on a set of publications including Trade in Services
An Answer Book for Small and Medium-Sized Exporters besides adaptation of four WIPO guidelines , in order to educate SMEs on IP issues

11. SMEs Training and Skill Development
Greening Through Technology Replacement
The following training programs/ seminars are regularly conducted to promote cleaner production techniques:
Seminar on “Clean Production and Pollution Prevention Workshop” is conducted in collaboration with World Bank
Regional Seminars on “Implementation of Cleaner Production Techniques” are conducted at Sialkot, Lahore Peshawar, Quetta and Karachi in collaboration with Cleaner Production Centre (CPC) Sialkot and Pakistan Institute of Management.
Skill Development
Promotion of Technology and Skill development is a tool to make SME’s more productive and globally competitive. SME’s lack quality control product standardization, invention and innovation due to their poor access to modern equipments.

12. Trade with India : Non Tariff Barriers
Exim Licensing / Permits/ Standard Certificates
Subsidies
Visa Regime
Customs procedures
Land border transportation
Air Links
Sea Transportation
No Banking and financial infrastructure
Unnecessary procedural requirements

13. Major Challenges Hostile Attitude And Mindset
Unstable Political Situation
Lack of trust and confidence
Reluctance to Depending On Uncertain Sources
Uneasiness Of Financial Transactions
Poor Transportation And Logistic Infrastructure of land routes

14. Current Situation Composite Dialogues is suspended
Most of the Trade negotiation activities are either stopped or substantially reduced
Top leaders of both countries met on various occasions but no positive outcome
Pakistan offers resumption of dailogue
India insists appropriate action against Bombay terrorists.
Pakistan has already started the judicial action
Now ball is in India’s court

15. Five Years Bilateral Trade
S.No
Year
Exports
Imports
Balance 1 2 3 4 5
(e)

16. Pakistan’s Top Ten Exports to India
S.No
Product
Jul-Jan) 1
Petroleum products
96.873
50.525 2
Fruits & Vegetables
26.195
27.454
33.704
34.714
30.849 3
Cotton Fabric
18.623
33.945
50.164
40.429
15.937 4
Molasses
17.75 5
Chemicals Elements
4.052
37.516
2.141
7.478
2.246 6
Leather
3.533
2.067
7.800
13.244
0.642 7
Raw Cotton
2.746
0.835
0.122
10.741 8
Crude Veg Material
2.411
2.640
2.225
3.015
8.291 9
Textile Made ups
2.315
1.899
1.209
1.787
0.590 10
Chemical Products
1,983
0.905
1.590
2.215
47.903

17. Pakistan’s Top Ten Imports from India
S.No
Product
Jul-Jan) 1
Chemical compounds 2
Chemical Materials
69.279
69.426
47.903 3
Ores, Iron & steel
65.346
46.277
53.169
61.988
52.968 4
Animal feed
38.988
73.183
99.806
79.806
82.978 5
Tyres and tubes
32.942
40.237
34.877
35.407
11.475 6
Raw cotton
15.090
39.592
21.730 7
Textile dyes/ colors
13.693
20.437
26.683
34.035
19.632 8
Iron steel products
13.408
31.265
31.323
40.542
19.734 9
Crude veg material
8.399
14.904
20.541
17.406
2.367 10
Non-Ferrous Mnfg
6.930
7.246
28.377
43.081
0.806

18. India’s Top 20 Products from Global Sources
S.No
Products
Growth%
Share in total 1
Petroleum, Crude & Products
39,757.45
52,112.76
31.08
32.1 2
Electronic Goods
11,771.30
14,378.58
22.15
8.86 3
Gold
9,658.21
12,930.03
33.88
7.97 4
Machinery Except Elec & Electronic
8,860.08
12,381.91
39.75
7.63 5
Pearls Precious Semi prcs Stones
8,638.58
6,621.20
-23.35
4.08 6
Other Commodities
5,321.78
4,021.49
-24.43
2.48 7
Organic Chemicals
4,257.03
4,934.87
15.92
3.04 8
Iron & Steel
3,934.79
5,377.25
36.66
3.31 9
Coal, coke & Briquittes Etc.
3,464.63
4,044.69
16.74
2.49 10
Metal, Ores & Metal Scrap
3,409.09
7,499.99
120
4.62

19. Contd……Top 20 Imports 11 Transport Equipments 2,936.56 3,991.81 35.93
2.46 13
Inorganic Chemicals
2,028.08
2,160.40
6.52
1.33 14
Artfcl Resns,plstc Matrls,etc.
2,021.58
2,319.85
14.75
1.43 15
Vegetable Oils Fixed (Edible)
1,788.84
1,923.29
7.52
1.18 16
Profsnl Inst,etc Excpt Elctrnc
1,766.25
2,088.96
18.27
1.29 17
Non-ferrous Metals
1,646.73
2,385.49
44.86
1.47 18
Fertilezers Manufactured
1,588.82
2,583.30
62.59
1.59 19
Elec Machry Excpt Electronic
1,348.96
1,759.46
30.43
1.08 20
Manufactures Of Metals
1,088.45
1,416.66
30.15
0.87

20. Bilateral Trade Options
There are many items which India and Pakistan are importing from global sources but not from each other because:
Both countries are already enjoying safe and traditional markets for exports and imports
Change in destinations and sources need incentives in terms of tariff, trade facilitation, security, reliability etc. which are not reasonably available in this case
Fear of unexpected developments keep the bilateral trade relations under stress and reduces the attraction of other positive factors
Business community of both sides has not yet developed closer and trustable relations

21. SAFTA Agreement Impact
Both countries are Members of SAFTA Agreement but its impact on bilateral trade is almost negligible
India Blames Pakistan’s “positive-list approach” and “non-grant of MFN status”
Pakistan alleges extensive NTBs under Indian Trade Regime and uneasy market access
Economic and trade cooperation is linked with other factors

22. Export Potential to India
Based on the export of Pakistan and the import data of India, following products may find a good market for export to India:
Petroleum Products
Gems and precious stones
Cotton Yarn and fabric
Fruits
Leather tanned
Ladies Garments
Marble and Onyx
Handicafts
Sports goods

23. Supply and demand side potential and constraints
Currently Supply side of Pakistan is not sufficient to cater the full Indian demand if an aggressive strategy is made operational.
Expansion of Pakistan’s supply side again depend on conducive political and economic environment
India being a country with high population growth and fast growing economy will keep on expanding the demand side
In order to establish and sustain a long term trading partnership with India, enabling political environment is must

24. Some bilateral trade issues
Restoration of composite dialogue
GI of Basmati rice
Use of brand name of ‘super Basmati’ by Indian rice exporters
Special trade arrangement in terms of Article X of GATT 1994
Pakistan’s non-paper on Indian NTBs
Single country exhibitions
Financial and physical infrastructure
Misc

25. Tariff Protection level and the market access in India
Indian is deemed one of the most protected trade regime in the world
They have low MFN rate but coupled with different rates of taxes like additional duty, special additional duty, countervailing duty , education cess etc.
Import tariff Regime of India is judged as most complicated, highly dispersed and inaccessible in “one-go”
Almost all major industries are highly protected through one or the other trade defense tools e.g. antidumping, countervailing and safeguard

26. Way ahead for bilateral trade
The future markets of world trade are emerging in Asia and Africa
Large economies in this region like India carry promising potential for trade and commercial activities
Most effective and highly productive trading blocks are composed of neighboring countries.
Both countries need to prepare a comprehensive trade promotion strategy to strengthen the peace process through establishing substantial commercial interests in each other’s country.
FICCI’s Report of Nov 2009 – highly Negative approach

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