Trade Policy Reforms

Trade policies and practices reform can substantially strengthen the overall trade environment and reduce the costs associated with exporting and importing goods. Trade Project's approach to policy reform builds on past trade policy reform successes and addresses the critical issues that remain, including: (1) strengthening trade policy frameworks and implementation capacity within the GoP, (2) reducing trade transaction costs through better Customs practices and more innovative approaches to trade facilitation, and (3) improving export promotion and market information programs. The reforms focus on liberalization, transparency and globalization with a basic thrust on outward orientation focusing on export promotion activity. These trade policy reforms will be carried out by enhancing Pakistan's current portfolio of bilateral and multilateral trade agreements, participating more actively in the DOHA round negotiations and other multi-lateral investment and trade initiatives, developing new free trade agreements, improving the duty drawback system and other offset mechanisms. This will also include implementing sectoral adjustments required by the textile and apparel industry in light of the expiration of quotas under the Multi-Fiber Agreement (MFA), minimizing tariffs on inputs into export-oriented services and manufacturing and removing tariff peaks and unintended high effective rates of protection. These initiatives shall help diversify Pakistan's export destinations and products. Trade Project is also strengthening trade policy analysis skills within the GoP (Government of Pakistan) through training, mentoring, improving and strengthening the policy-making branch of the Ministry of Commerce.

For further information regarding Pakistan's Trade Policy please visit the website: http://www.commerce.gov.pk/trade-policy