December 9, 2003	Tuesday	Shawwal 14, 1424

ISLAMABAD, Dec 8: The ministry of commerce will facilitate exporters in tapping new markets for their products to enhance country’s share in the international trade.

This was stated by additional secretary of commerce, M.S.I. Ghauri in a briefing to a delegation from National Institute of Public Administration (NIPA) here on Monday. The delegation was briefed about trade policy of Pakistan and challenges of the WTO.

Mr Ghauri informed the participants that the commerce ministry had liberalized trade by abolishing unnecessary rules and regulations.

“Now there are a lot of opportunities for the business community,” he said and added the ministry was taking measures to promote export of Pakistani products.

“Our strategy is to build capacity, reduce cost of doing business, continuity of policies, encourage export-oriented FDI, export of services, and value-addition,” he informed the NIPA delegation.

The participants were informed that the government would establish garment cities in Lahore, Faisalabad and Karachi, and special export zones having modern infrastructure.

Meanwhile, joint secretary, WTO Wing, Qasim Niaz, briefed the delegation on challenges of the WTO.

He said that after the phasing out of quota in 2005, there would be no adverse effect on Pakistan textile.

He apprised the delegation of various aspects of WTO regime. The delegation was told that Pakistan was an active member of the WTO and was fully aware of the challenges and opportunities of the WTO regime.