‘External trade once again flashing warning signal’

Business Recorder reported that Pakistan's external trade is again sending a cautionary signal, with export growth slowing while imports keep climbing steeply. According to economic and financial analyst Ateeq ur Rehman, the widening gap between the two is adding fresh strain to the trade balance and pushing the trade deficit wider.

Exporters, he said, face high production costs, including costly power and gas, steep fuel prices, expensive borrowing, heavy taxes, delayed tax refunds, and imported raw materials that cost more. Freight charges are climbing, vessel space is scarce, cargo flows are disrupted, and transporter strikes have caused heavy losses.

He warned that a truckers' strike or any halt in cargo movement can delay shipments, expose exporters to penalties and damage claims, and disrupt factory output. Goods and services exports currently stand at roughly USD38/40 billion, equal to about 8 percent of GDP, and lifting them to USD100 billion within two years would require 40 percent annual growth. He argued export cargo should keep moving smoothly even when obstacles arise.