Chief Executive - Trade Development Authority Of Pakistan (TDAP)

CV:

SM Munir has been appointed as the Chief Executive of Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) in 2014.Munir has been the president of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industries (FPCCI) as well as remained in top positions in business related bodies. He has been considered one of the close aides of the Prime Minister in business community.He is also the Chairman of Din Group of Industries including Din Textile Mills Ltd., the annual turnover of the Group is approximate US$:120 Million.

Blurb:

If your systems are systematic, then everything is automatic

Evolve:Please throw some light on your role being Chief Executive of TDAP?

SM Munir: First of all I welcome EVOLVE team in my Lahore head office of Din Group and thankful to you for your valuable time you spared to conduct my interview. As far as my responsibilities regarding TDAP are concerned, I was assigned the task of heading TDAP as Chief Executive one year back when the Prime Minister of Pakistan Muhammad Nawaz Sharif called upon me and asked that he wanted to assign me the task of running TDAP in its true spirit and to work for improving the exports of Pakistan. I accepted the challenge with the condition that I would not draw any salary against my services and Prime Minister would have to have regular meeting with me regarding strategy, performance and future planning. As far as salary and perks are concerned I am committed to my words and not getting a single penny from national treasury. Till date I have spent more than twelve million from my own pocket just to serve my country, Pakistan and still committed to leave no stone unturned to achieve the goals. As far as meeting with the Prime Minister is concerned, I must say that it is the most difficult task now a day as he is quite busy that it is about impossible for him to spare some time for TDAP.

Evolve:Is government supporting export promoting efforts of TDAP? 

SM Munir: In my speech at Export Trophy in Karachi I requested Federal Finance Minister Mr. Ishaq Dar to refund the amount of Pak Rupees 250 billion against sales tax and income tax to the exporters. More than two years have been passed but to no avail. How an exporter can run his fiscal cycle until or unless he will not be paid back his refunds. Even my company has to take PKR. 180 million in terms of refund while there are companies in waiting list with refund requests of worth PKR.100 million. The industrialist will use this refund to facilitate his buying and then he will be able to run his industry. When industry will be operational then exports automatically be improve and exceed. In Punjab we are suffering from the worst scenario due to 15-16 hours load shedding and severe water shortage in Karachi. Being largest exporter of leather and leather goods of Pakistan I have my factory in Karachi and it is quite unfortunate that I have to buy my own theft water at cost of Rupees Sixty to Seventy thousand from water mafia.

Evolve:What do you think that up to what extent GSP Plus status awarded by European Union, would help to strengthen Pakistan’s economy?

SM Munir: There is overall decline of 4.5% in exports of Pakistan during last one year. I was expecting the fall of 20% but it was GSP Plus status being awarded by European Union with combined efforts of business community and government that reduced the export figures to 4.5% from 20%. Here I shall also appreciate the role of Ch. Sarwar, former Governor of Punjab to get this incentive for Pakistan. Thus we lost the benefit of this precious incentive because the increase of $1.5 billion due to GSP Plus was adjusted in overall export fall that definitely hit the TDAP efforts.

Evolve:What positive changes you brought in TDAP being head of this important organization?

SM Munir: There have been major improvements at TDAP. First of all was the availability of TDAP officials in office. Before I took over the charge there was party time everywhere in TDAP but I installed biometric attendance system that improved the presence of staff. All of TDAP senior officials are on same page with me. Although due to new rules I have got immense powers but it is quite strange that I cannot do hiring. How much load you can add to one person, obviously this will affect the quality of his performance. I need more officers to attend the important portfolios but I have to go through establishment for hiring as only the Press Information Department (PID) has the authority to publish all type of government advertisement. Now TDAP environment is totally a corporate environment as you get swift response of your correspondence. Unlike other government departments like FBR you will find an entirely different system here because all over the world there are systems not persons. That’s why I say “If your systems are systematic, then everything is automatic”. Second most important thing is time management. Last year TDAP managed 100 exhibitions while this year we have 118 exhibitions.  I myself attended Aalishan Pakistan exhibition in India. We organized an exhibition in February in Karachi and the honorable Prime Minister of Pakistan also attended this exhibition. More than eight hundred people from round the world attended the event and admired its quality. You will be surprised to know that last year the cost of same exhibition was PKR 260 million while we spent only around 150 million. So it shows that corruption in TDAP has also been a story of past now. First time in the history of TDAP, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) recovered an amount of PKR 250 million from corrupt officers and returned to TDAP.

Evolve:China is aiming to bring the largest investment in the history of Pakistan. Has TDAP any plans to connect Pakistani and Chinese investors through trade visits and exhibitions?

SM Munir: We as a nation are grateful to China for such a great initiative and the credit obviously goes to the vision and will of political leadership of Pakistan led by Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif. The investment of $ 46 billion depicts the trust of Chinese leadership on our leadership. China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will be a milestone project paving way for industrialization and prosperity in Pakistan. Just a few months back due to law and order situation there were doubts and disappointments especially in Karachi but now the situation has entirely been changed. The credit goes to the civil and military leadership of Pakistan who have decided to make no compromise on this sensitive issue. On the other hand the governance style of Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has also set new standards to follow. TDAP is fully geared up and we shall do anything assigned by the government. My mandate is to increase exports and if government will feel that such type of exhibitions or events necessary to connect Pakistani and Chinese businessmen must be arranged, definitely we will do it on priority basis.

Evolve:In your view what initiatives are required to be taken to connect Pakistan and global business community? 

SM Munir: I think that views about Pakistan are changing worldwide. Some days back I was in Korea for three days and they were keen to invest in Pakistan. You will be surprised to know that per capita income of Korea is $ 45,000 while ours is just $ 1400-1500. About nineteen (19) Korean companies are working in Pakistan and they are very satisfied and happy. Same is the case is with all multinational companies operational in Pakistan. This is all about improvement in peace and security situation that boosted the investor confidence.

Evolve:How do you evaluate Pakistan, its people and their potential?

SM Munir: There is no second opinion to this thought that Pakistan is a country full of potential and opportunities. This country is in fact the future of South Asian region. We shall have to be very cautious about our internal and external enemies. This is a reality that now Pakistan is about to take off. I am very much anxious to hear from some person that Pakistan has become an Asian Tiger. Soon the energy crisis will be resolved and different gas supply channels like Iran will also be operational. There is need to control corruption so may the masses get the full advantage of government’s initiatives.

Evolve:Any message for the readers of EVOLVE?

SM Munir: I appeal to all of the readers to please avoid lying and try to feel the importance of this gift of nature i-e Pakistan.