Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) has suggested preparation of a composite and integrated industrial policy for 5-10 years period keeping in mind Pakistan's commitments under World Trade Order (WTO).
Muhammad Iqbal Mangrani, chairman, Research and Economic Development Cell of KCCI, told Business Recorder that in this era of globalisation, Pakistan have to get prepared to face the emerging challenges under the WTO regime and grasp the opportunities.
He noted that the country urgently needs to build a strong network of anti-dumping and countervailing duties to protect the local industry against the onslaught of unfair foreign competition.
"It is heartening to note that Trade Policy 2003-04 envisages enhancement of capabilities of National Tariff Commission (NTC) and it is further recommended that NTC should be restructured and converted into an autonomous body employing private sector professionals," he said, adding, "this is necessitated, apart from other reasons, by the fact that many a cases involving dumping pertain to firms belonging to friendly countries, like China, against whom the government is reluctant to initiate proceedings."
He further said: "Pakistan's survival lies in enhancing credibility through adoption of international quality standards, but Pakistan has a long way to go in obtaining certifications of ISO-9000, ISO-14000 and other standards.
The Pakistan National Accreditation Council (PNAC) needs to set up testing laboratories for conformity assessment.
"As member of WTO," he said, "Pakistan is committed to fulfilling Trips obligations, for which five law amendments have been promulgated.
There is an urgency for enforcement of laws regarding infringement of IRS, a sine qua non for attracting foreign investment."
The government had announced Trade Policy 2002-03, establishment of umbrella organisation of PIPRO for improving the administration and enforcement scenario, but necessary legislation for PIPRO to start functioning is still pending."
He further suggested that Research and Development (R&D) should receive top priority if the country wants to survive in the New World Order. Industrial sector has been dependent on expensive foreign technologies.
There is an urgent need for public-private partnership in this area so that results of research of R&D institutions and universities are made available to the industrial sector so that they can induct appropriate technologies.
Programmes should be chalked out for human resource training and development through public-private partnership.
Curriculums of the universities should be revised continuously to meet the industrial needs, he added.