WTO moot successful for Pakistan

Commerce Minister Humayun Akhtar said here on Sunday that the WTO agreement on elimination of export subsidies would not affect Pakistan''s exports subsidy "as it is already too low".
Addressing a press conference after the release of WTO''s second revised declaration draft, he said that subsidy on cotton would end next year, which would have positive impact on the industry, and cotton related exports would increase.
"It is a big achievement that all forms of subsidies for cotton will be eliminated by developed countries in 2006 and they will allow duty- and quota-free access for cotton exports from the commencement of the implementation period," he said.
Regarding services, the Minister said that the issue had been discussed in the ''Green Room'' but movement on this topic was not sufficient, and added that "we will not move towards initial offer if the issues of labour are not resolved".
The Commerce Minister said that members that face difficulties at this time to get market access would be provided dut-free and quota-free market access for at least 97 percent products originating from LDCs, defined at the tariff line level by 2008, or not later than the start of the ''implementation period''. These countries were demanding 99.9 percent coverage for their apparels.
Analysts said that the issue was not ''in brackets'' but ''decided''.
"We had the fear that our products could be brought under formula cut, but we retained our position at ambitious level," Humayun said.
The request for waivers by other members, exclusively in favour of least developed countries, has been decided keeping in view prejudice to the rights of other countries, he added.
Analysts said that Bangladesh and Cambodia were trying to get zero-rating market access to US market, which could have huge problem for Pakistan''s apparel exports in the US market, which could have been blocked, but now it would be unable to succeed in its move. Thus, Pakistan''s exports would not be affected.
It is learnt that Humayun fought the case for one-and-a-half hour to defend the country''s case regarding apparel. The Minister said he was satisfied about the outcome of the conference, and termed it ''success'' of his entire team. He added that ambitions were more than he had expected before coming to Hong Kong.
He appreciated the performance of Pakistan''s team, which worked day and night for realising the national cause. He said that the Hong Kong round of WTO Ministerial Conference had proved to be very successful for Pakistan "as our point of view was fully incorporated, and we managed to achieve more than expectations," he added.