ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The total trade volume between Pakistan and Central Asian States during the last five years (2013-14 to 2017-18) stood at Rs 43.705 billion, the Minister for Commerce and Textile told the National Assembly.
In a written reply, the minister citing the Pakistan bureau of Statistics (PBS) told that House that the total trade between Pakistan and Central Asia States in 2013-14 remained Rs 4.123 billion, in 2014-15 Rs 4.879 billion, in 2015-16 Rs 7.753 billion, in 2016-17 Rs 11.453 billion, and in 2017-18 it was Rs 15.497 billion.
The year-wise value in rupees of trade between Pakistan and Central Asian States during the last five years is indicated in the following table;
To another question by Abdul Qadir Patel, the minister apprised that House that the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) organized Pakistan Trade Caravan to CARs (2016), Expo Astana, Kazakhstan (2017), Single Country Exhibitions in Sri Lanka (January, 2016, 2017 & 2018), Chile (June 2018) and Thailand (July 2018) for diversification and exploration of new markets.
The minister told that in order to penetrate in the non-traditional markets, TDAP is focusing on Look Africa plan of the Commerce Division to enhance exports to Africa.
The total number of events arranged by TDAP in order to enhance the exports of Pakistan during the last five years along with budget allocated therefor during the said period;
