WTO Wants to Help Pakistan Grow Its Export Capacity

The World Trade Organisation (WTO) has announced plans to partner with Pakistan to help it grow its export capacity under an “Aid for Trade” initiative. The plan would add value to Pakistan’s products, improve its workforce, provide training, and help the country explore new markets around the world.

The World Trade Organisation (WTO) has announced plans to partner with Pakistan to help it grow its export capacity under an “Aid for Trade” initiative. The plan would add value to Pakistan’s products, improve its workforce, provide training, and help the country explore new markets around the world.

The plan was announced Monday by WTO Director General Roberto Azevedo. Speaking at a press conference in Istanbul, he said the WTO would train Pakistani government officials and private sector personnel in key positions to help them find ways to enhance export capacity. Of course, the implementation of these plans poses a number of challenges.

“The business environment in Pakistan is improving which is essential for economic growth,” Azevedo said. He acknowledged, however, that one of the purposes for his visit to Pakistan was to identify areas where the country would need assistance with technology, negotiation practices, and standardization. He also emphasized that Pakistan could serve as a model for other nations around the world: “You will lag behind if you only depend on the WTO to do something for you.”

Azevedo praised Pakistan’s efforts to improve its economy and ability to maintain healthy growth. He predicted that with improving security conditions, the economy could grow even more. “Pakistan’s ratification of the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) is greatly appreciated and many other countries are also entering it,” Azevedo said.

The WTO’s plan for Pakistan involves helping the nation to take steps to improve competitiveness, diversification, and a reduction in the cost to trade. “The TFA alone would lower transaction cost of Pakistani companies by 30%.” Azevedo also said that agricultural development should be an area of high priority for Pakistan.

For its part, the Pakistani government was excited to participate with the WTO. Commerce Minister Khurram Dastgir, remarked that the WTO’s proposals aligned well with the aims of the Pakistani government and its economic ambitions.

“Pakistan’s engagement has deepened in negotiations going on in the WTO as the country played a leading role in meetings held in Paris, Nairobi, and Davos. Pakistan was the only country from the Saarc region which participated in the Davos meeting,” Dastgir said.

Dastgir reasserted Pakistan’s commitment to participate in the TFA and to take part in its trade facilitation programs. In fact, the nation plans to create a national trade facilitation committee. It also wants to pursue programs to feed the hungry and assist the most economically vulnerable members of its society remain above the poverty line.