This Export Competitiveness Framework by Zafar Masud, bypasses short-term monetary fixes to analyze the genuine structural drivers of Pakistan’s trade potential. By exploring critical pillars—such as reducing uncompetitive industrial energy tariffs, mitigating high import dependencies on raw inputs, enhancing domestic value addition, and establishing long-term policy predictability—this framework offers a strategic blueprint for sustainable, resilient economic growth.
Cheap Currency, Costly Illusion
This analysis by VCAST is based on the article “Cheap currency, costly illusion” by Zafar Masud, where he explores the fallacy that exporting competitiveness hinges solely on the rupee’s value. He argues that while the currency’s fluctuations do impact exports, the main issues lie deeper within the economic structure, such as energy prices and import dependencies. Masud emphasizes that merely devaluing currency is an inadequate solution; effective reforms in energy tariffs, trade facilitation, and overall productivity are quintessential for improving export performance. He urges for a holistic approach to address these structural challenges, advocating that currency adjustments should be one of many components in a comprehensive economic strategy.
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