In Islamabad, the Senate Standing Committee on Commerce was informed on Wednesday that protocols for exporting donkey skins and meat to China have been finalized. The committee meeting, chaired by Senator Anusha Rahman, received briefings from commerce ministry officials on various aspects, including the performance of attached departments within the commerce division.
Additional Secretary Ahsan Ali Mangi of the Commerce Ministry informed the committee about the finalized protocol for donkey skins and mentioned plans to include donkey meat in the export list. The ministry also concluded export protocols for onions, potatoes, and chillies to China.
Senator Rahman expressed concerns over Pakistan’s limited onion production, highlighting challenges in justifying onion exports to China. The committee was also briefed on proposed new missions in nine countries, including Malaysia, Iraq, Oman, Tanzania, Kenya, and Mozambique.
Officials updated the committee on the finalized Transit Trade Agreement with Central Asian countries, expecting significant trade growth, particularly with Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kazakhstan. Rafeo Bashir Shah, Chairman of the Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP), highlighted TCP’s mounting debts and interest accrual, stressing the urgency for resolving outstanding payments from provincial departments and ministries.
Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan emphasized the critical nature of the TCP’s financial situation, warning of potential systemic risks akin to circular debt. The committee decided to refer the matter to the Senate Finance Committee for immediate resolution.
Additionally, State Life Insurance (SLIC) and National Insurance Company Limited (NICL) officials briefed the committee. SLIC’s CEO discussed the company’s profitability and increased public trust, noting collaborations with provincial governments on implementing the Sehat Card initiative. The NICL CEO reported the company’s growth and performance metrics for FY24.
