Govt Considers Extending Export Development Fund Board for Another Year
September 19, 2025
In an effort to ensure the smooth completion of ongoing reforms, the Commerce Division has proposed reappointing the current Board of Administrators of the Export Development Fund (EDF) for another one-year term. The summary has been forwarded to the Federal Cabinet for final approval.
Proposal Details
According to sources, the Commerce Division has recommended the extension under Sections 5(2) and 6 of the EDF Act, 1999. The board, which was reconstituted and notified by the Cabinet on August 16, 2024, and January 23, 2025, is set to complete its tenure on August 15, 2025.
Officials believe that retaining the current board will provide much-needed continuity, especially since several key reforms and restructuring measures are still underway.
Key Members of the EDF Board
The Board of Administrators includes senior government officials and leading figures from Pakistan’s trade and business community:
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Jam Kamal Khan, Federal Minister for Commerce & Chairman of EDF Finance Committee
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Jawad Paul, Federal Secretary for Commerce & Vice Chairman of the EDF Board
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Chief Executive, Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP)
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Secretaries from the Finance Division and Industries & Production Division
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A senior representative from the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP)
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Presidents of major chambers including FPCCI, Karachi Chamber, Lahore Chamber, Sialkot Chamber, Quetta Chamber, and Sarhad Chamber
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Heads of trade associations such as PRGMEA, PHMA, REAP, PCMA, and APFVEIA
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Prominent business leaders including Bilal Shahid Anwar Rata (Tata Best Foods), Aamir Ahmad Allahwala (Tecno Group), and Mehreen Obaid (Towellers Limited)
The board is supported by Waqas Azeem, Secretary of the EDF Board and Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Commerce.
Importance of Continuity
“The current EDF Board has been instrumental in advancing critical reforms. Their extension will ensure that these initiatives reach a logical conclusion,” an official from the Commerce Division stated.
The Export Development Fund, set up in 1992 and formalized under the EDF Act in 1999, plays a crucial role in financing projects to enhance Pakistan’s export potential. Stability in its governance is seen as essential for long-term policy execution.
What’s Next?
The proposal is now with the Federal Cabinet. If approved, the decision will signal the government’s commitment to institutional stability and the long-term growth of Pakistan’s export sector.
