Faiza Tehseen

Pakistan needs one-window operation to promote mineral exports, as it will ensure smart and easy documentation. This will not only benefit local investors but also attract foreign direct investment, said Muhammad Yousaf, a mining engineer and mineral exporter, while talking to WealthPK.

According to Yousaf, documentation is the first stage for international trade and business and this is where the investors face issues while making investments. “From company registration to export documents, the process is time-intensive, especially for those coming from far-off areas. The channels are easy to go and at one point but not under one roof. The presence of all related facilities under one roof can bring a great difference. It will help convince more people to invest in the mineral sector. “Though documentation is not too complicated, distant location of related offices makes the whole process quite hectic. Sometimes, for a little change in documents, one has to run in different directions. To save both time and money, decision-makers must consider this situation,” said Yousaf, who is also the CEO of Islamabad-based Cambrian Mines and Minerals Company.

Talking to WealthPK about the role of chambers of commerce and industry concerning the one-window operation for export documents processing, head of Media and Communication at the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) Zulfiqar Ahmad said processing the mineral export documents under one roof could streamline the entire procedure, which will also enhance the efficiency and reliability of exporters and other official machinery. “The RCCI has played a pivotal role in this process. It facilitates the issuance of certificates of origin for a variety of minerals and also serves as a central source for quality certifications and necessary paperwork to export minerals.

The chambers can authenticate documents, ensuring compliance with the international trade regulations and standards. This helps reduce fraudulent activities and maintain credibility in the export process. “As an active business platform, we are frequently visited by a big number of investors, traders, and businesspersons. Pakistan’s rich mining sector lags at the international level only due to the less market approach and unawareness of documentation. Focusing on this issue can bring a lot of work opportunities in the country. So, it is crucial to consider this aspect,” he added.

Credit: INP-WealthPk