ISLAMABAD, Oct 01 (APP):Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, constituted a working group to examine potential arrangements to improve shipping connectivity, reduce transportation costs, and facilitate access for Pakistani exports to global markets.
He established the working group during the meeting with a three-member delegation of exporters, who met with the Federal Minister to apprise him of the difficulties arising from altered shipping routes in the region.
The delegation included Shahzad Asghar Ali, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Style Textile; Benedict Brunner, Vice President of Adidas Global; and Saqib Rafiq, Senior Director of Sourcing Operations at Adidas; while Syed Jarrar Haider Kazmi, CEO of the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC), participated in the meeting online.
The delegation explained that the longer shipping routes have increased both the cost and time required to transport Pakistani products to European and American markets.
This places Pakistani exporters at a disadvantage compared to regional competitors who enjoy relatively easier and direct access to key global markets.
The Federal Minister stated that if exporters could guarantee the availability of the required volume of cargo, the leasing or purchasing of container ships to facilitate them, thereby making the operation commercially viable, could be considered.
During the meeting, it was agreed to consider measures for reducing transportation costs and improving export linkages, including an assessment of the feasibility of a dedicated container ship proposal.
The delegation stated that they would present their proposals to the working group after consulting with other exporters.
Source: APP (Associated Press of Pakistan)
