Access to Foreign Markets: Insights from the Pak-China FTA
March 11, 2026
What the Data Shows
Using data from the Census of Manufacturing Industries (CMI) for Punjab (2000, 2005, and 2010), the study analyzes how textile firms responded before and after the FTA.
Productivity and Quality
Exporting textile firms experienced modest productivity gains of 6–8%
Product quality improved slightly (1–2%)
Gains were mainly concentrated in the spinning segment, which benefited most from tariff reductions
Firm Behavior
Exporting firms increased labor and material inputs
Capital investment showed little change
Firms reduced product variety, focusing on fewer product lines
Pricing and Markups
Exporting firms reduced product prices
Prices declined more than marginal costs, resulting in lower markups
Demand Patterns
Demand elasticity varies across textile segments:
Interior textiles and clothing are the most price-elastic
These sectors could gain more market share if market access expands further
Spillover Effects
The study also finds positive spillovers:
Exporting firms generated productivity and quality spillovers for nearby non-exporting firms
Effects were strongest among upstream suppliers in the production chain
Key Insight
While the Pak-China FTA increased trade flows, it did not significantly transform productivity or competitiveness in the textile sector during the period studied.
Limited capital investment and slow product upgrading constrained firms from fully benefiting from new market access.
Takeaway
Market access alone is not enough.
To fully benefit from trade agreements, Pakistan needs complementary policies that support investment, technology adoption, and industrial upgrading.
Labels: FTA, Lahore School, Macroeconomics, Manufacturingsector, Pakistan, Research, Trade
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 3/11/2026 03:12:00 PM,
Eighth International Applied Development Economics Conference (17-19 August 2026)
March 10, 2026
Labels: ADE2026, Applied Development Economics, CREB, IGC, Pakistan, Pakistan Economy, Research
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 3/10/2026 10:03:00 AM,
Strategic Management
March 06, 2026
On 5 March 2026, the Lahore School of Economics' Corporate Relations Office hosted Ms. Sobia Haqqi, Director of Human Resources at Sigma Distributors, as part of the Distinguished Professional Lecture Series. She delivered a lecture to BBA IV students enrolled in the Strategic Management course, focusing on the principles of good governance and the impact of organizational culture on employee productivity.
Labels: Guest Speaker, Spring 2026
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 3/06/2026 02:24:00 PM,
The Principles of Good Governance in Pakistani Companies
March 05, 2026
On 4 March 2026, the Lahore School of Economics hosted Ms. Haleema Tariq, Group Strategy Manager at Mayfair Foods, for an engaging and insightful session with the undergraduate class. The session, titled “The Principles of Good Governance in Pakistani Companies,” provided students with a comprehensive understanding of corporate governance frameworks and their practical application in Pakistan’s corporate sector.
Labels: Guest Speaker, Spring 2026
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 3/05/2026 12:08:00 PM,
Admissions in the MS/M.PHIL Economics Program 2026
March 03, 2026
Choice between MS & MPhil with 4 specializations:
- Quantitative Economics
- Development Economics
- Trade & Public Policy
- Data Analytics
Generous Financial Support:
- Fully funded (no fees).
- Merit/need-based stipend (Rs. 35,000/M).
- TA jobs during thesis writing.
Admissions requirements:
- BS Economics (Min 3.0 CGPA)
- HAT (Social Sciences)
- Lahore School subject test
- Interviews by a panel
Deadline: 31st May.
Details here
Labels: Admission, Economics, Fully Funded, Lahore School, Mphil, MS
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 3/03/2026 03:16:00 PM,
Business Policy
On 2 March 2026, the Lahore School of Economics (Corporate Relations Office) hosted Mr. Faisal Rana, Chief Strategy Officer at Asian Food Industries Limited (Mayfair brand), as part of the Distinguished Professional Lecture Series. The lecture, delivered to MBA II students, centered on AI-driven strategy and value creation in today's fast-changing business landscape. Mr. Rana provided valuable insights into crafting robust strategies amid volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity (VUCA), equipping students with practical, real-world perspectives on the strategic challenges confronting organizations in dynamic environments. This session offered an enriching blend of advanced theory and industry experience, bridging academic learning with contemporary corporate practice.
Labels: Guest Speaker, Spring 2026
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 3/03/2026 03:15:00 PM,
Challenges and Possibilities for Environmental Sustainability in Pakistan
February 28, 2026
Department of Environmental Science and Policy, Lahore School of Economics
Call for Papers
The Department of Environmental Science and Policy, Lahore School of Economics, is organizing the sixth Environmental Science and Policy Conference on Wednesday, 13 & Thursday, 14 May 2026. A broad outline of the conference's scope includes original research articles, case and technical reports, reviews, and analyses. All scholars, and practitioners, professionals, researchers and policymakers with a common interest in studying the field of Environmental Science and Policy from different disciplines are welcome to share their research.
The Primary Themes for the Conference are:
- Air Pollution & Smog Management in Pakistan
- Water Security & Sustainable Water Management
- Flood Risk Management & Climate Disasters
- Climate-Smart Agriculture & Food Security
- Sustainable Urbanization & Environmental Planning
- Green Energy Transition & Environmental Sustainability
- Solid Waste & Plastic Pollution in Pakistan
- Biodiversity Conservation & Ecosystem Protection
- SEA, EIA, and EMS
- Environmental Data Governance & Ethical AI
- Occupational Health and Safety
Interested participants are requested to submit an abstract of their paper to the Department of Environmental Science and Policy by April 13, 2026. Authors will be notified regarding acceptance of abstracts by April 17, 2026.
Submit your abstracts to: LSE.ENVIRONMENT@GMAIL.COM
Important Dates
Submit an Abstract: DEADLINE April 13, 2026
Acceptance Notification: April 17, 2026
Register to Attend: DEADLINE May 08, 2026
Conference Dates: 13–14 May 2026
Labels: Environmental Science and Policy, Lahore School, Research, The Lahore Journal of Policy Studies
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 2/28/2026 09:48:00 AM,
Branding and Advertising
On 27 February 2026, the Lahore School of Economics welcomed Mr. Asad Rizvi, Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications (Director Marketing) at Jazz, for an insightful and interactive session with MBA II (Section A), enrolled in the Branding and Advertising course. The session centered on AI-driven marketing strategies and explored how artificial intelligence is reshaping the future of digital branding.
Labels: Guest Speaker, Spring 2026
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 2/28/2026 09:33:00 AM,
Marketing Management
February 27, 2026
Labels: Guest Speaker, Spring 2026
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 2/27/2026 03:57:00 PM,
The Fine Art of Strategic Management
On 26 February 2026, Lahore School of Economics organized a session under its Distinguished Professional Lecture Series Program for the undergraduate students enrolled in the Strategic Management course. Mr. Fraz Aslam, Founder and Lead Consultant at KAF Human Excellence, delivered a dynamic and participative lecture that transformed the classroom into an active learning environment.
Labels: Guest Speaker, Spring 2026
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 2/27/2026 03:45:00 PM,
Strategy doesn’t fail — execution does
February 26, 2026
On 25 February 2026, Mr. Shah Jahan, Chief Sales Operations Officer at Dawn Foods, shared insights on turning strategy into action at Lahore School of Economics. His powerful message was “Strategy doesn’t fail — execution does.” Mr. Jahan highlighted that crafting a solid plan is just the start; effective implementation is what drives results. “Every plan needs the right execution,” he emphasized, pinpointing disciplined follow-through, structured KPIs, and accountability as key to success.
Labels: Guest Speaker, Spring 2026
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 2/26/2026 01:11:00 PM,
Business Policy
February 19, 2026
On 19 February 2026, Lahore School of Economics hosted Shoaib Baig (Exec Dir, JK Group) for MBA II-A Business Policy students. It was an insightful session on how AI is transforming strategy in VUCA world—boosting data accuracy, forecasting & real-time decisions for proactive, aligned policy frameworks.
Labels: Guest Speaker, Spring 2026
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 2/19/2026 03:55:00 PM,
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