KARACHI - Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) is awaiting funds to the tune of Rs7 billion to be released from Export Development Surcharge (EDS) held up by Ministry of Finance following which the TDAP would be able to carry out its export-oriented plans besides releasing the amounts of subsidies to the exporters, says TDAP Chief Executive Tariq Iqbal Puri. Addressing a luncheon meeting at Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI) on Tuesday, the TDAPs chief said that Pakistan would cross the barrier of $20 billion exports this year. He said that TDAP has many export-oriented projects in pipeline and after receiving funds, they would be implemented soon. He said that TDAP is planning to take part in as many as 80 international exhibitions abroad out of which 25 exhibitions would be held in China. He said that China has offered free stalls in some of these exhibitions. He said that China would be the focus country for TDAP during 2011 as Chinese market is much lucrative than other countries and Pakistans home textile and other items have a big potential of export. He announced that Board of Directors of TDAP would soon be reconstituted and prominent personalities would be taken into this board this time. He said that it was being considered to split the Expo Pakistan exhibition into 5 to 7 sectoral exhibitions this year and proposals are being invited from trade bodies in this regard. He said that TDAP is planning to carry out assistance and funding plan to non-traditional items manufacturers with the financial assistance of USAID. While replying to a query by former Chairman KATI, Mian Zahid Husain about export of lubricants and other petroleum products, he said that it was brilliant idea and he should submit proposals in this regard so that lubricants could also be included in export commodities. He assured that KATIs proposed trade and export delegation abroad would be sponsored by the TDAP. The Patron In-chief, KATI, S M Muneer asked the TDAP to release millions of rupees of exporters stuck up with the TDAP against subsidies and reconstitute its board of directors with inclusion of prominent figures from the private sector. He said that the present government has no sense of direction and running the economy only through increasing POL and utilities prices besides increasing mark up rates due to which economy has been put in ICU. He mentioned that government is roaming around with begging bowl to get dollar and the export-oriented industry which is earning precious dollars is being taxed unjustifiably. Chairman, KATI, Syed Johar Ali Qandhari in his welcome address asked the TDAP to declare year 2011 as Export Year and devise a comprehensive plan with the trade bodies to boost exports. He said that due to wrong policies by the govt, industrial sector is facing survival problem and many industries have already been closed down whereas volume of non-performing loans has gone up to Rs500 billion. He questioned that how the exports would survive in case of ever-increasing prices of electricity, POL, gas and other inputs. He advised TDAP to send trade delegations abroad for the export of wheat and its value-added products as the government has allowed its export.