Abstract
USAID's Pakistan Trade Project (PTP) is a countrywide project designed to promote initiatives that help businesses trade across borders and improve the trading environment in the country. PTP works with the Ministry of Commerce (MOC), including the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) and the National Tariff Commission (NTC) and with Pakistan Customs, an entity of the Ministry of Finance Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). PTP also supports activities that facilitate trade such as building web-based information tools, modifying logistics procedures, and developing rules and processes for the private sector through the Chambers of Commerce and Industry, insurance companies, the Customs Clearing Agents Association, freight forwarders, export houses, and bonded carrier organizations. The key evaluation questions focus on assessing and improving the relevance and effectiveness of PTP activities, including those aimed at engaging women in trade, and enhancing buy-in from the GOP. The evaluation questions are: (1) to what extent has the Pakistan Trade Project met its targets for performance management plan indicators, what are the reasons for shortfalls, and what has the project done to address shortfalls; (2) are Pakistan Trade Project activities relevant to current identified needs/concerns of stakeholders with respect to increasing trade; (3) how effective are PTP's activities in contributing to its two main components/results; (4) to what extent have the project's activities aimed at enhancing GOP buy-in fostered a sense of ownership of reforms among GOP counterparts; and (5) how have women been engaged in PTP and how has the project influenced women's engagement in trade activities? Findings, conclusions and recommendations are provided in detailed analysis for each question in this midterm evaluation report. (Excerpt, modified)