The State Minister for Commerce Hamid Yar Hiraj has called upon European Union (EU) to give special treatment to Pakistan in WTO regime due to his country's role as a frontline state at war on terror. He was speaking at the launching ceremony of six-day long training course "WTO and Pakistan - specific issues" organised by Azam Chaudhry Law Associates here on Monday.
The training course running till February 12 is being held to highlight implications of WTO regime on Pakistan. Representatives of leading organisations like Saudi Pak Investment, Pak Kuwait Fund, ZTBL, Millat Tractors, Muslim Commercial Bank, Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF), Sarhad Rural Support Programme, Punjab Rural Support Programme, the ministry of industries, environment and commerce are attending the course.
The minister hoped that Pakistan will be allowed access to the new European Union (EU) generalised system of preferences (GSP) plus scheme-zero rate import duty keeping in view its strong commitment to war on terror. The scheme is likely to be effective from July 1, 2005. He appreciated Azam Chaudhry Law Associates initiative for organising the training course on WTO issues, which he added, was an ideal platform being established by private sector to educate the stakeholders about the implications of WTO regime on Pakistan.
Speaking on the occasion as a chief guest, the Deputy Director General WTO, Dr Kipkorir Aly Azad Rana explained WTO's agenda with July package. He was of the view that WTO offered both opportunities and challenges to developing countries. He said that training course like this would dispel apprehensions of Pakistani entrepreneurs about WTO regime and would help them develop the understanding of the situation.
Guest of honour, the EU Ambassador, Iikka Cusitalo said that Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz had successfully pleaded Pakistan's case during his recent visit to Europe. He held that European Union would support technical programmes for capacity building in Pakistan.
In his welcoming address, Dr Muhammad Azam Chaudhry, said that the importance of implications of WTO issues had pushed him to come up with such a platform so that Pakistani government officials and other stakeholders could be aptly educated and made ready to handle the issue properly on their respective fora.
He said that WTO provides a comprehensive approach to regulate the international trade. He said that any neglect or indifference on the part of Pakistan to the understanding of international rules would cause economic problems and will further increase poverty. Dr Chaudhry, with a PhD in International Law, was accorded the Knighthood by the French President in 2003. He specialises in corporate affairs and WTO matters. He has also served as legal advisor for the UNHCR in Geneva and World Tourism Organisation in Spain. He has also worked as chief of mission of UNHCR in Spain.
Prominent among those who also attended the launching ceremony was ambassadors to Pakistan from Mauritius and Kenya.-PR
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