Ayesha Ghaus reviews preparations regarding the visit of DG WTO to Pakistan

Lahore: Provincial Minister for Finance, Dr. Ayesha Ghaus Pasha presided over a meeting to review preparations regarding the visit of Director General World Trade Organization to Pakistan at Civil Secretariat, here today.

President Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Chairman WTO Jamil Naz, Deputy Secretary Ministry of Commerce Adnan Lodhi, Director PBIT Khurram Afzal Malik, MD PSIC Bilal Ahmed Butt, Chief industries Aslam Javed, Chief Economist Planning & Development Dr. Aman Ullah, Additional Secretary Agriculture Hussain Sardar and President Basmati Growers Association Ch. Hamid Malhi were present on the occasion.

The meeting was aimed at reviewing the suggestions of stakeholders for preparation of presentation to be given on the arrival of DG WTO Roberto Azevedo.

Dr. Ayesha Ghaus Pasha told that Punjab Chief Minister has constituted a committee led by Provincial Finance Minister for consultation on the projects continuing with the participation of WTO in Punjab. All stakeholders including Ministry of Commerce and Trade and Board of Investment have been given representation in the committee.

She said that WTO is not only providing a platform to its member centuries for consultation regarding sale and purchase of goods and services but also playing an important role for promoting trade, eliminating disputes and reforming trade policy among them.

She said that international trade policies have increased imports in developing countries like Pakistan but no progress has been made in the sector of exports due to which local industry is in crisis. She said that we should stress upon formulating such international trade policies with the assistance of WTO as can help develop local industry.

Dr. Ayesha Ghaus Pasha directed all stakeholders to point out such products in their respective sectors through the export of which foreign exchange can be earned.

Chairman WTO said that before the arrival of DG WTO, it is necessary to review products coming up for competition with Pakistani products and what is difference between their prices so that we could improve our products.