The Commerce Ministry has been criticised for not actively pursuing private sector to use concessions, which are available through trade agreements with different countries, it is reliably learnt. When the issue of ratification of Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) with Iran came under discussion in a recent cabinet meeting, it was observed that the ministry was not actively pursuing the private sector to benefit from the new tariff concessions, sources said.
"Commerce is duty-bound to motivate the private sector to make use of the concessions that were now available as a result of PTAs and Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) concluded with a number of countries," the sources quoted the cabinet as saying.
They said the cabinet approved the amended agreement, rules of origin and negotiated tariff concessions of the PTA on the part of Iranian government through the Foreign Office. Sources in the Commerce Ministry told Business Recorder that Pakistan has handed over a list of 47 items to Russia for PTA despite the fact that the latter was not ready to enter into PTA or FTA with Pakistan.
"We have assured the Russian team in Geneva that PTA will be more beneficial for them than Pakistan," the sources said.
Pakistan's leather manufacturers were more interested in business with Russia and believe that the PTA would boost leather garments export. However, it is interesting to note that Pakistan's dealing officer at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) was not aware of any PTA between Pakistan and Kazakhstan on its accession to WTO.
"Being the dealing officer for accessions at the mission, at least I am not aware of any such development. Besides, we generally keep stressing for an improved access to our exportable goods in those markets, while negotiating accessions," Zafar Qadir, in a letter to the ministry said.
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