Pakistan unveils draft tariff policy to drive export-led growth
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Wednesday unveiled a draft National Tariff Policy 2025-30 at a regulatory reforms conference, aiming to shift the country toward an export-led growth model by overhauling its trade tariff structure to boost industrial productivity, investment and competitiveness.
The event was organized by the Board of Investment (BoI), and attended by senior government officials, diplomats and private sector representatives.
The policy sets out sweeping reforms, including the phasing out of Additional Customs Duties (ACDs) within four years, elimination of Regulatory Duties (RDs) and the 5th Schedule within five years, and the creation of a simplified four-tier Customs Duty structure of 0 percent, 5 percent, 10 percent and 15 percent.
Key sectors expected to benefit include textiles, engineering, pharmaceuticals and information technology, with the policy designed to lower production costs and attract businesses.
'The National Tariff Policy 2025-30 is designed to create a predictable, transparent and investment-friendly tariff structure,' said Rana Ihsaan Afzal, Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Commerce, at the conference.
'By facilitating duty-free access to raw materials, phasing out ACDs and RDs and supporting nascent and green industries, this policy paves the way for innovation, employment generation and sustained economic growth.'
Afzal said implementation will begin with tariff reductions on approximately 7,000 tariff lines, mainly raw materials and intermediate goods, expected to deliver an estimated Rs200 billion ($700 million) in benefits to trade and industry.
'These reforms will enable Pakistan's industries to scale, compete globally and shift toward higher value-added exports,' he added. 'With these changes, we anticipate not just stronger GDP growth, but also increased employment, improved industrial productivity and enhanced investor confidence.'
According to an official statement issued by the BoI, the participants lauded the government's efforts to streamline regulation and modernize trade facilitation, calling the draft policy a significant step toward Pakistan's long-term economic transformation.
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