Pakistan, Deloitte collaborate on trade, reform agenda

May 22, 2025 (MLN): To accelerate export growth and drive institutional reforms, Pakistan’s Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan met with a high-level Deloitte Advisory US delegation led by Richard Longstaff.

The discussion focused on strategic reforms, investment facilitation, and the implementation of a new Strategic Trade Policy Framework aimed at driving export growth over the next five years.

Richard Longstaff reaffirmed Deloitte’s commitment to supporting Pakistan’s energy and economic goals through its global expertise, as per the press release.

Sofyan Yusufi, Deloitte’s lead advisory partner, emphasized the need for sector-specific and practical initiatives instead of broad, unfocused strategies.

Minister Jam Kamal Khan stressed the importance of clarity and coordination across ministries, pointing to previous failures caused by vague priorities and poor implementation.

He urged Deloitte to align its support with national priorities, including exports, climate resilience, and institutional capacity. He also encouraged a focus on achievable, pilot-based models.

Yusufi supported the idea of a co-development model with Pakistani teams and highlighted the importance of stakeholder engagement and readiness.

Both sides agreed that a clear strategic framework and collaboration with global partners such as the World Bank and IMF are essential for success.

The Deloitte team also proposed the development of a 30-year industrial vision for Pakistan, cautioning against short-term, fragmented approaches.

They noted growing investor interest in regions such as Balochistan and Gilgit-Baltistan, contingent on policy clarity.

The discussion also emphasized the need for digital transformation, particularly in improving user-facing services like visa processing.

Delegates noted that user experience should be treated as a strategic enabler, not a luxury, to enhance Pakistan’s global engagement.

Copyright Mettis Link News