Speakers at a seminar have stressed the need for implementation of the Trade Facilitation Agreement
(TFA) of the World Trade Organization (WTO) as it was vital to Pakistan’s economic progress. The seminar was arranged by the Revenue Mobilization for Investment and Trade (ReMIT) with a view to identify ‘obstacles being faced by businesses in cross-border trade’ and to jointly devise a mechanism for their removal.
The two-day seminar, financed by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)/UK Aid, focused on promoting adherence to Pakistan’s commitments under the WTO’s Trade Facilitation Agreement in its true sense by the different government organizations and stakeholders.
Opening the discussion, Advisor Facilitation ReMIT, Dr Jawwad Agha said the TFA, which champions the simplification, modernization and harmonization of export, import and transit procedures and formalities, had thus become a key issue for the global trade system, and for countries like Pakistan, it provided opportunities for promoting businesses that were operating in regional and international markets.
He said purpose of the seminar was to prepare trade related policy framework which championed export competitiveness and conducive business environment for firms in the country.
