Geneva, 7 July 2022 (TDI): Pakistan becomes the latest World Trade Organization (WTO) member to agree to close negotiations on the UK Goods Schedule.
Great to join my good friend Ambassador Piracha today as Pakistan 🇵🇰 becomes the latest @wto member to agree to close negotiations on the 🇬🇧 Goods Schedule.
We’re working hard to finalise remaining Article 28 negotiations so that we can provide certainty for firms around the 🌎 pic.twitter.com/XK9OtNqZ5n
— Simon Manley (@SimonManleyFCDO) July 6, 2022
Simon Manley, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the UK to the WTO and UN in Geneva, said that it’s a pleasure to be with his good friend Piracha, the Ambassador of Pakistan to WTO.
Both ambassadors are working hard to complete the remaining Article 28 discussions so that enterprises throughout the world may have clarity.
Article 28:2 primarily states that Members “must endeavor to maintain” a general level of reciprocal and mutually beneficial concessions not less favorable to trade than that provided for in this Agreement prior to such talks.
In addition, Article 28 has three parts and, all of them have their importance to the world trade organization.
Ambassador Mujtaba Piracha
Mujtaba Piracha represents Pakistan at the World Trade Organization (WTO). He has also held a number of posts in municipal and provincial administration.
Piracha has also served as a member of the Punjab Revenue Authority, the Secretary for Industries and Commerce, a member of Investment in Punjab, and a commissioner in Lahore.
He specializes in public finance management and earned his Ph.D. in 2016 from the Institute of Development Studies. His Ph.D. dissertation focused on subnational taxes.
5th Trade Policy Review at the WTO
In April, Pakistan’s fifth Trade Policy Review provided the world trade organization with an excellent chance to gain a better knowledge of recent advancements in, and challenges to, its trade, economic, and investment policies.
#Pakistan successfully concluded its 5th Trade Policy Review at the #WTO. Delegation led by Secretary Commerce Mr. Faruqui. We thank 33 WTO members for constructive feedback and Amb Waldmann of Germany for insightful discussion. Over 300 questions were answered @mincompk pic.twitter.com/fEG5lcKb7E
— Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the WTO, Geneva (@PakMission_WTO) April 1, 2022
Pakistan attempts to continue its membership in the Multilateral Trading System. It capitalizes on the benefits that MTS provides and has been in recognition since its fourth TPR in 2015.
The 319 advance written questions were submitted by 21 Members and the 33 delegations that took the floor on the first day. The second day was a demonstration of the significance that Members place on the trade and investment policies and practices of Pakistan.
