Small and medium-sized enterprises involved in exports have been urged to make full use of the Export Facilitation Scheme (EFS), as a government committee reviewed proposals on 3 November 2026 to streamline the scheme and make it easier to do business.
What happened?
Minister of State for Finance and Railways Bilal Azhar Kayani chaired a consultative meeting of the Prime Minister’s Committee to Review the Export Facilitation Scheme at the Finance Division in Islamabad. The meeting was attended by the Secretary Commerce, Special Secretaries from Finance and Commerce, senior officials from the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), representatives of the All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA), the Pakistan Textile Exporters Association (PTEA) and the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and exporters via video link.
Key details
- The committee reviewed proposals in detail to streamline the scheme, enhance its efficiency and align it with evolving trade dynamics.
- Kayani said the prescribed qualification criteria for inclusion in any EFS category would be applied across the board, with no exemptions from standard operating procedures.
- He directed the relevant authorities to clarify and simplify regulations governing the import of capital goods and manufacturing machinery for exporters.
- The meeting reviewed amendments aimed at cutting export overheads, encouraging local value addition and stimulating domestic manufacturing.
- The meeting concluded with a consensus to sustain active consultations with stakeholders and trade bodies to drive export growth.
What it means for people in Pakistan
For small exporters, a simpler and more predictable facilitation scheme could lower the cost and paperwork involved in exporting, particularly for firms importing machinery to produce goods for overseas markets. The review is ongoing, so exporters should follow the committee’s next announcements for any formal changes to the rules.
Source: https://en.tezkhabar.tv/kayai-urges-smes-to-fully-leverage-export-facilitation-scheme/
