ECC OKs plan to meet WTO benchmarks
By Asad Cheema

ISLAMABAD—The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet here on Tuesday approved a comprehensive strategy to effectively deal with vital issues of market access, reduction of domestic support and elimination of export subsidy in the forthcoming Hong Kong Ministerial Conference begining from December 13. Commerce Minister Humayun Akhtar Khan told mediamen after special session of ECC on “WTO and Pakistan position” here at the Prime Minister Secretariat Tuesday. Unveiling the strategy the Commerce Minister said Pakistani team will comprise senior officials, exporters and stakeholders has been formed to participate and effectively negotiate the issues in line with “our national interests”. He said Pakistan will take a solid stand on its policies towards WTO and press for elimination of all distortions and subsidies being provided by the developed countries to their farmers. These advantages are affecting the GDP of developing countries including Pakistan and “we would vigorously defend our cause in this regard”. He said 150 members of WTO countries are likely to participate in its 6th Ministerial Conference in Hong Kong and discuss the matters relating to Agriculture, Industrial Goods, Services, Rules, Anti-dumping, Trade Facilitation and Special Preferential Treatment facilities.