In this episode, Uzair talks to Anna Twum about Pakistan’s export potential, how import tariffs hurt the export economy, and the ways in which Pakistan’s $60bn export potential can be met.
Anna Twum is an economist at the World Bank and recently helped write the Pakistan Economic Update published by the World Bank. You can read the full report here: https://thedocs.worldbank.org/en/doc/972c49ee47cc09d4face97b09ea64362-0310012025/original/Pakistan-Development-Update-Staying-the-Course-for-Growth-and-Jobs-October-2025.pdf
Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
2:15 Why are exports low?
17:30 Import taxes and exports
33:20 Energy reforms
41:30 FDI for exports
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In this episode, Uzair talks to Anna Twum about Pakistan’s export potential, how import tariffs hurt the export economy, and the ways in which Pakistan’s $60bn export potential can be met.
Anna Twum is an economist at the World Bank and recently helped write the Pakistan Economic Update published by the World Bank. You can read the full report here: https://thedocs.worldbank.org/en/doc/972c49ee47cc09d4face97b09ea64362-0310012025/original/Pakistan-Development-Update-Staying-the-Course-for-Growth-and-Jobs-October-2025.pdf
Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
2:15 Why are exports low?
17:30 Import taxes and exports
33:20 Energy reforms
41:30 FDI for exports
Uzair talks to Pranay Kotasthane about the growing tensions in U.S.–India economic relations and the difficult road ahead for deeper trade integration. We discuss what went wrong in the bilateral relationship after the high-profile Trump Modi summit, the domestic political constraints that make agricultural and dairy sector reforms difficult in India, and why India’s reliance on fiscal incentives like PLI may not be the silver bullet for manufacturing growth. We also explore whether India’s decision to stay out of RCEP was a strategic misstep, and what it would take for the country to meaningfully integrate into global supply chains. Finally, we reflect on the broader trajectory of the U.S.–India partnership and what both sides need to do to steady the course.
Pranay Kotasthane is deputy director of the Takshashila Institution, where he chairs the High Tech Geopolitics Programme. He co writes Anticipating the Unintended, a newsletter on public policy, and co hosts Puliyabaazi, a popular Hindi Urdu podcast on politics, policy, and technology.
You can read Pranay’s newsletter here - https://publicpolicy.substack.com/p/315-beyond-the-hype
Reading Recommendations
1. Deborah A. Stone — Policy Paradox: The Art of Political Decision Making
2. Rutger Bregman — Humankind: A Hopeful
Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
2:45 State of US-India relations
14:30 India’s Evolving foreign policy
24:10 Supporting Indian businesses
31:40 Agriculture reforms and protectionism
39:00 RCEP and its impact
48:40 Reading recommendations
Pakistonomy
In this episode, Uzair talks to Anna Twum about Pakistan’s export potential, how import tariffs hurt the export economy, and the ways in which Pakistan’s $60bn export potential can be met.
Anna Twum is an economist at the World Bank and recently helped write the Pakistan Economic Update published by the World Bank. You can read the full report here: https://thedocs.worldbank.org/en/doc/972c49ee47cc09d4face97b09ea64362-0310012025/original/Pakistan-Development-Update-Staying-the-Course-for-Growth-and-Jobs-October-2025.pdf
Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
2:15 Why are exports low?
17:30 Import taxes and exports
33:20 Energy reforms
41:30 FDI for exports
