US is supporting the Ministry of Commerce with a training workshop on the Trade Facilitation Agreement in Islamabad. The US Agency for International Development (USAID), through its Pakistan Regional Economic Integration Activity and Training for Pakistan Project, organised the workshop to raise awareness among public and private stakeholders on the Trade Facilitation Agreement and its impact on Pakistan's trade competitiveness.

The three-day workshop was opened on January 4 by Minister for Commerce, Engr. Khurram Dastgir Khan and USAID Mission Director John Groarke and facilitated by trainers from the International Trade Center, the World Customs Organisation, and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. Participants include 70 representatives from government agencies, private sector associations, and private business and logistic operators.

The World Trade Organisation member countries approved the Trade Facilitation Agreement in December 2013 at the 9th Ministerial Conference. This agreement has established a global framework for member countries to reduce the time and cost of cross-border transactions.-PR

Copyright Business Recorder, 2017