The Senate Special Committee report on 'Challenges of WTO and Strategy' will be presented in the Upper House on Saturday, October 8. According to a government handout, the report discusses the challenges and implications and impact of various agreements under WTO regime. It will create awareness among the masses on WTO related issues.
It is claimed that the report has been prepared in a proactive manner indicating lapses, providing guidance for the government as regards to present and future policies in the larger interests of the country, irrespective of any political outlook.
The report also focuses on substantive issues and WTO's misuse by the developed countries, proposing strategies after reduction of subsidies.
The draft report was discussed at Senate's Special Committee (SSC) meeting, chaired by Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, Minister for Privatisation and Investment here Friday.
The report has been prepared under the guidance of 'Draft Committee' headed by Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, members Khurshid Ahmed, Mushahid Hussain, Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Muhammad Anwar Bhinder, Dr Muhammad Akbar Khawaja and a group of experts, which included Dr A.R. Kamal and Dr Ejaz Ghani.
Speaking on this occasion, Dr Hafeez Shaikh appreciated the bipartisan spirit and harmony shown by members in the national interest, the suggestions of the draft committee and the technical team.
The 16-member special committee was constituted by the House on September 22, 2003, which prepared the report in two years after thorough study of the issues and incorporating suggestions and recommendations of all stakeholders.
The report suggests to undertake steps for arranging institutional support and to enable the private sector to face the challenges in the wake of WTO regime. The members opined that WTO was an ongoing process; therefore, the presentation of the report in the Senate should not be delayed.
The report contains recommendations gathered through presentations by 27 stakeholders including legislatures, private sector, NGOs, government functionaries and the general public, identifying the role to be played by the respective stakeholders indicating assistance from the government to benefit from the opportunities in the next three years transitional period.