Islamabad: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has directed the immediate abolition of the Export Development Surcharge on domestic exports. He issued these directives while presiding over a review meeting on the recommendations of the Sub-working group established to increase domestic exports.

According to Radio Pakistan, the Prime Minister also directed a review of the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan to implement reforms and revamp the authority. In a move to ensure transparency, Shehbaz Sharif called for a third-party audit of the Export Development Fund over the past five years, in line with international standards.

The Prime Minister emphasized that the fund should be utilized to enhance domestic exports, support research and development, provide skill training to the workforce, and furnish world-class facilities. He insisted that any misuse of the fund would not be tolerated. Furthermore, Shehbaz Sharif instructed that a competent chairman from the private sector be appointed to ensure optimal use of the fund’s resources.

Shehbaz Sharif reiterated the importance of promoting and marketing Pakistan’s export products globally. He added that providing maximum facilitation to industrialists to boost domestic exports remains one of the government’s top priorities.