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Abdul Qadir Memon, Pakistan

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Deputy Secretary (Foreign Trade), Ministry of Commerce
Public Policy Program (’01/’02)

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What is your area of specialization and how did you come to work in this area?

My area of specialization is international trade law. At present I am working as Deputy Secretary (Foreign Trade), Ministry of Commerce, Islamabad. I am a member of the Pakistan trade negotiating team involved in negotiating free trade and preferential trade agreements with the partner countries. I also have to interact with our Permanent Mission in the WTO on Non Agriculture Market Access (NAMA), Trade Facilitation, inputs on Trade Policy Reviews of other member states and Rules of Origin. I am also required to appear in the Committee on Regional Trade Agreements (CRTA) and Committee on Trade and Development (CTD) to defend our trade agreements notified to the WTO.

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I have been a member of Pakistan’s negotiating team that concluded Free Trade Agreement with China and Malaysia. I am also a member of SAFTA Committee of Experts that has been assigned the task of smooth implementation of the SAFTA agreement. At present I am involved in drafting rules of origin for Pakistan GCC FTA and Pakistan Jordan FTA.

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Before joining this assignment I was working as Secretary (Customs), Federal Board of Revenue, Islamabad. In this capacity, I was providing technical assistance to the Ministry of Commerce on tariff rationalization commitments. My work was appreciated by the Ministry of Commerce and I was ultimately offered an opportunity to work there. So for the last two years I am working in this assignment. It has been an exciting and enriching experience for me.

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You are currently Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce, in charge of Foreign Trade. In this capacity, what do you see as the main opportunities and challenges for Pakistan over the course of the next five to ten years?

Though we are living through adverse times – terrorism, economic crises – there are a number of opportunities that Pakistan can make good use of. As Pakistan’s role in supporting and preventing international terror becomes important, a lot of international aid and support is flowing to the country. If we use this money wisely, focusing on social development goals, and not just arms and ammunition, this could be a long awaited impetus to improving the lives of ordinary Pakistanis. If we address the issues of insecurity and violence, Pakistan can exploit its unique geographical and strategic position and could position itself as a trade corridor to Middle East, south and central Asia.

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What was the most important thing you learned while at GRIPS?

Living and studying in Japan was a unique experience. I always thought that westernization and modernization were synonymous. Japan was an eye opener for me. Japanese have modernized without being westernized. In this was they have been able to preserve their culture, language and value system. Developing countries struggling to modernize have a lot to learn from Japanese experience.

The other important lesson that I learned was to value diversity. Studying in GRIPS and living in Odaiba was a multicultural experience. Before coming to Japan, I did not have many opportunities of travelling abroad and interacting with people of other cultures. In GRIPS there were students from more than 100 countries. The experience brodned my horizon and made me appreciate diversity and uniqueness in other societies and cultures.

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How has your time in Japan influenced you in your subsequent career?

Trade and sustainable development are the issues that interest me tremendously. The credit goes to GRIPS where for the first time I was exposed to the scholarship on these subjects. GRIPS also had world class faculty that were instrumental in developing my interest in this field. I believe that trade not aid is the most potent instrument for sustainable development and can lift millions of people living in absolute poverty. After return from GRIPS I explored job opportunities where I could not only apply my skills but further refine them. Since then I have been working as a trade official and endeavoring to make meaningful contributions in my sphere of influence.

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During your career, what achievement(s) are you most proud of and what has been the most rewarding aspect?

In 2005, while studying at the University of Washington, Seattle, as a Hubert H. Humphrey Fellow, I took part in the Global Social Entrepreneurship Competition (GSEC). Teams from all over the world participated, and the team of which I was the leader, won second place. Our project, Kiran, was a technology incubator for Pakistan. It addressed the serious issue of ‘brain drain’ whereby every year millions of qualified, skilled people, leave Pakistan in search for better opportunities abroad. Kiran, which means the first ray of light, focused on IT qualified people, who could join the incubator, where they would be given technical and material assistance to help them develop their ideas into viable, creative projects. Kiran, was appreciated by the participants and organizers of GSEC, and in fact we began receiving offers of funding from several interested donors. Once I got back, though I did initially try to establish Kiran, I became caught up with my job, and let my commitment slip. However this does not mean that I will never be able to.

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Did the, perhaps more lucrative, private sector ever hold any appeal for you?

Yes, it still does, especially when I look at the pay differentials, and the fact that my workload is just as demanding as any in the private sector (contrary to general perception). But if I were to join the private sector, I would like to stay within the development sector.

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If you could choose another profession to be in, what would it be?

Winning the Global Social Entrepreneurship Competition made me realize that I have the potential to be a social entrepreneur. The GSEC was the first opportunity I had to develop my ideas into a full-fledged project which had wide-ranging social and economic benefits. Maybe one day I would try my luck at this!

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I have a passion for photography but I find it difficult to see myself as a professional photographer.

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What is your fondest memory of your time spent in Japan?

Meeting so many people from all over world and learning about different cultures. I made many special friends in Japan.

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What do you miss about Japan?

In Tokyo, I miss some of the best, most interesting city walks. Though I didn’t realize it at the time, I do miss the hustle and bustle of the city. The Japanese countryside was beautiful, and though my tight budget didn’t permit me to travel extensively, I do miss the excitement and anticipation I felt whenever I visited a new place. I also miss Japanese food a lot. I have tried various Japanese restaurants in Pakistan and other countries, but nothing is quite as good as what I remember from Japan. I also made some good Japanese friends and I will always remember their polite, helpful nature.

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What is your favorite thing to do when you are not working?

My passion for photography developed when I was in Japan. Japan was such a beautiful country that it was difficult to resist taking tons of photos. It was also the time when I refined my photography skills. I also enjoy hiking. In fact I often do both things together!

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How do you maintain a balance between your work and the rest of your life?

There are times when work simply overtakes everything else and other than come home and sleep, there is little else I can do. But I am lucky, that I do get periods of time when my workload is lighter and I am free to pursue other things I enjoy like spending time with my family, hiking, taking short excursions and reading. I don’t really force myself to strike a balance between home and work each and every day, because it is simply not possible, but make the most of each whenever I can.

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What advice would you give to current GRIPS students?

Make the most of each and every moment and opportunity that comes your way. You may not get such an opportunity again. GRIPS, Tokyo and Japan are truly unique experiences.
I cherish every moment I spent there, though I had to work very hard to earn my degree.