October 10, 2003	Friday	Sha’aban 13, 1424

ISLAMABAD, Oct 9: The United Nation Development Programme (UNDP) would provide support to ministry of commerce in building institutional capacities, formulating trade policies, preparation of multilateral trade agreements and on WTO regimes.

This was stated by UNDP Regional Project Coordinator on Trade and Investment, Murray Gibbs in a meeting with Federal Minister for Commerce, Humayun Akhtar Khan on Thursday.

Mr Gibbs said that the Mission’s task was to review capacity, needs and priorities of the stakeholders like Pakistan’s government, business sector, academia, civil society, and donor organizations.

He said at the first stage, the strategy would focus on environmental services, textiles and clothing, geographical indications, energy services, enhancing the ability of Pakistani workers, agriculture, automobile sector.

At the second stage, seminars will be held to initiate debate and at the third, projects would be defined to address the specific needs of various beneficiary groups aimed at maximising the benefits they derive from trade and the support to human development.

At the fourth stage, courses on WTO international trade and their dynamics would be introduced in universities. Media will also be used for creating awareness.

For the implementation, Mr Gibbs said a programme steering committee will be established. The commerce ministry would be the main partner of UNDP in designing a strategy for holding dialogue with stakeholders for dissemination and advancing the programme.

Mr Gibbs said that they would take a close look at fisheries and live stock because these sectors could help eliminate poverty. Commerce minister in this behalf stressed the need to give due attention to fruit and vegetable export facilities.

The commerce minister, Humayun Akhtar Khan said that he had approved a list of 13 research studies to be conducted with funding from donors and the programme was referred to the World Bank for possible financing. He emphasized on the adoption of e-commerce in the country. He said that government was giving high priority to agriculture and textile sectors.

He said that export and SMEs should be encouraged to eliminate poverty, and similarly fisheries was an area, which could boost the national economy.

Mr Humayun said unless growth rate was increased, poverty could not be reduced.