The draft report on "Challenges of WTO and Strategy" will be presented before the Senate special committee on WTO by January 10, 2005. It was decided in a meeting held here with Minister for Privatisation and Investment Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh in the chair on Tuesday. The report is being prepared by a group of experts in the light of recommendations of various stakeholders including legislatures, private sector, NGOs, government functionaries and the general public.
The report identifies the role to be played by respective stakeholders, indicating assistance from the government to benefit from opportunities in the three-year transitional period.
The committee proposed that while discussing challenges, implications and impact of various agreements under the WTO regime, the report should create awareness among masses on the WTO-related issues.
The committee also emphasised to include unfinished areas in the report in a proactive manner indicating lapses, providing guidance for the government regarding present and future policies in the largest interest of the country irrespective of any political outlook.
The committee suggested that the report should also focus on substantive issues and the WTO's misuse by the developed countries, proposing strategies after reduction of subsidiaries. The report will be finalised by the committee during the third week of January 2005.
The committee has also received recommendations from the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (Aptma), Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock, State Engineering Corporation, Pakistan Engineering Development Board, Pakistan Automobile Motors Association, Pakistan National Accreditation Council (PNAC) on the business allocated to them under the rules and government readiness to face challenges of the WTO regime coming into force in 2005.