Director General(DG), World Trade Organisation (WTO), Roberto Azevedo, has said that advancement towards Doha Round is 'very difficult' especially in the agriculture sector and added that the international body is not sleeping and is trying to bring member countries to the table. Azevedo, who is on a two-day first visit to Pakistan, spent a very busy day in Islamabad on Monday. He held meetings with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Commerce Minister Eng. Khurram Dastgir Khan and Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms, Ahsan Iqbal.
He also attended a conference of ECO member countries which was also attended by diplomats of different countries and officials of concerned Ministries. Later addressing a press conference along with Commerce Minister Eng. Khurram Dastgir Khan, he said that Pakistan was moving forward to better position to attract investment. He said that fixing energy issues and export diversification were very crucial for Pakistan. Azevedo said that the business environment in Pakistan was improving, which is essential for economic growth, and one of the purposes of his visit to Pakistan was to identify the areas where Pakistan needs technical assistance in trade development, trade negotiations, production methods and standardisation.
To a question, he said that Pakistan's export potential was significant but it was difficult to quantify it. "The most important factor for Pakistan is to look for qualitative jumps. For this, first Pakistan has to make the system more productive. For instance fixing of energy issues will have clear impact on Pakistani products abroad, diversification of products is also very important. Pakistan must also focus on other products including citrus and mangoes instead of rice which is a traditional item for exports. Pakistan must also focus on services capacity," he urged.
He said that developing countries including Pakistan should initiate their development proposals and include in the WTO agenda. "You will lag behind if you only depend on WTO to do something for you," said Azevedo. According to DG WTO, agriculture is an area of interest and it should be marketed through competitive trends at international level. "Pakistan is focusing on competitiveness, diversification and lowering the costs of trade," he added.
He said that agriculture is an area of high priority and agriculture subsidies by developed and developing countries were continuously discussed and debated at WTO. Export subsidies were eliminated in the recently held 10th WTO Ministerial meeti8ng in Nairobi, he added. Talking about Doha Round, he said "we have difficulties in advancing towards the Doha Round issues and we are not going into details. It is very difficult and very challenging area for negotiations but we are not deferring it and are following it up but at the same time there are other issues which are not in Doha Round, and which are very important for countries especially developing countries".
Azavedo held discussions with Pakistani officials on E-Commerce, Small and Medium Enterprises and fishery subsidies. The agenda is open but there is a possibility to shake the agenda and this possibility has been discussed with the Pakistani government, he added.
"The conversation I had today with Prime Minister, Commerce Minister and Minister for Planning and Development made me believe that this partnership between Pakistan and WTO has a very promising future. We talked about technical assistance and co-operation. We are going to examine to deepen that co-operation and provide for means that are necessary for Pakistan to develop further, diversifying production system in all areas ie agriculture, industry, services wherever it is possible," he added.
He said business environment in Pakistan is improving which is essential for economic growth and his visit will air this message to the world in most unequivocal terms. Replying to a question he said that developing countries can also initiate their development proposals in the WTO and discussed this aspect with Pakistani leadership to take initiative in floating new proposals.
He further contended that WTO will help Pakistan enhance its export capacity through its aid for trade initiative by adding value to the products, training people and providing support in exploring new markets. Pakistan is improving and maintaining a healthy economic growth and with peace coming to Pakistan the economy will grow further. "I am hopeful about the country's progress," he said.
Pakistan's ratification of the Trade Facilitation Agreement is greatly appreciated. Many other countries are also entering the TFA, Azavedo further stated. "One of the purposes of the visit is to identify the areas where Pakistan needs technical assistance in trade development, trade negotiations, production methods and standardisation," he continued.
Trade Facilitation Agreement alone will lower the transaction cost of Pakistani companies to trade by 30%. During the bilateral meeting with the DG WTO and the joint press conference the Minister for Commerce said that the visit of the Director General of World Trade Organisation Mr Roberto Azevedo to Pakistan is an expression of interest and trust of the management of the leading economic institutions of the world in the policies pursued by Pakistan.
Pakistan's engagement has deepened in the negotiations going on in the WTO as Pakistan played a leading role in the meetings held in Paris, Kenya and Davos. Pakistan was the only country from SAARC region which participated in the ministerial meeting of Davos. Pakistan signed the Trade Facilitation Agreement of WTO and is playing a positive role through its diplomatic efforts for facilitation of world trade. In line with international commitments, Pakistan will constitute a national Trade Facilitation Committee in the near future.
In the Nairobi Ministerial, Pakistan worked with other countries to seek permanent solution beneficial to all the participating countries. Pakistan emphatically shared the imperative to feed the hungry and assist the vulnerable but not at the cost of livelihood of millions of poor subsistence farmers.
Pakistan stands with the world community for a positive and progressive outcome in the MC-11 next year particularly for developing countries. A press release stated that the Minister for Commerce expressed his gratitude to the DG over the technical assistance provided by the WTO to Pakistan particularly on SPS measures and capacity building. Pakistan is planning a project to enhance export competitiveness in agriculture particularly in the mango and citrus sector for which it may look forward to technical assistance at the appropriate time.
Earlier, Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Reform Ahsan Iqbal urged WTO to support Pakistan in capacity building in SME sector and trade facilitation for CPEC. Pakistan eyes $150 billion exports by 2025 under Vision-2025, which requires a paradigm shift in nature and composition of exports by adding value and introducing innovation in existing export regime.
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