This project aims to align SDPI mandate with that of Pakistan Single Window (PSW) in areas of action research, advocacy & outreach, and capacity-building. Through these actions, SDPI’s interventions will make PSW a practically useful and sustainable initiative with focus on the intended benefit. Furthermore, the PSW requires assistance in developing a capacity building programme with the objective to lead to an accreditation programme that shall ensure the sustainability of the PSW. They are considering using e-learning platforms that shall be utilized for continued training and certification for the PSW users and other stakeholders.
SDPI in collaboration with Ministry of Commerce, Australian High Commission and World Bank Group conducted a project to identify the constraints being faced by exported, disaggregated by small, medium and large enterprises. The project aims to provide policy solutions which will be addressing infrastructural and knowledge gaps which prevent exporters in engaging in national and international trade. Women are also facing constraints in engaging in export activities. Therefore consultative trade meeting was conducted across the provinces by meeting with business communities. SDPI has documented these inputs and communicate to the provincial legislators, business authorities and tax authorities in each province. SPDI, World Bank Group and other partners appraise private sector associations of the key findings of the diagnostic meetings. Further details can be found here.
SDPI in collaboration with World Bank, as part of broader program of assistance, is conducting a project that explores Pakistan’s trade policy and the access that is provided to exporters to imported inputs. The project aims to conduct a thorough diagnosis of the issue and to develop a set of recommendations designed to improve exporters’ access to imported inputs. Therefore a survey of 100 exporters were conducted in Lahore and Karachi to get inputs on three primary Customs’ schemes designed to give exporters timely access to imported inputs at world prices. Secondly is to validate the survey with Focused Group Discussions (FGDs) which were conducted with each stakeholder to further improve the customs operation. The aim is to gauge what these stakeholders may want to see under a harmonized recommendations designed to improve exporters’ access to imported inputs. SDPI has documented these inputs and communicate to the provincial legislators and tax authorities in each province. The main outcome is analysis of the garment export sector of Pakistan especially the re-export of imported fibers after value-addition. Along with submissions for improvement into Strategic Trade Policy Framework. Further details can be found here.