The project titled "Institutional Development in the Ministry of Industries & Production and (MOI&P) with respect to WTO" was prepared by this Ministry for a total cost of Rs. 39.840 million which was approved by the Departmental Development Working Party (DDWP) in its meeting held on 09-05-06. The Principal focus of the project is to set up a dedicated and structured unit in MOIP with capacity and capability to deal with World Trade Organization related matters and issues. This project would go a long way in creating special skills to deal with the new issues emerging from the WTO. This project will strengthen the operational and technical capacities of MOIP&SI in dealing with the industrial related WTO agreements and multi-lateral trade negotiations. This Ministry is fully involved in the matters relating to WTO, particularly, issues relating to ongoing negotiations on Non Agricultural Market Access (NAMA) which can have a far reaching effect on the industrial sector of the country.

2. The proposal perceives to strengthen the capacity within MOIP with additional technical positions and short term expert services as well as supporting facilities to evolve in the long term perspective a viable and efficient setup which can meet the requirements of Pakistan’s trade in non agricultural goods. This project would go a long way in creating specialists to deal with the new issues emerging from the WTO.

The project will help to achieve the following objectives:-

i. To create capacity within MOIP to backstop and respond to need for actions at all levels, and coordinate all WTO related activities in the country effecting non-agriculture sector.

ii. To meet the informational and analytical needs associated with the WTO negotiations on non-agriculture and in the process to improve the capacity for participation in the ongoing WTO negotiations.

iii. To enhance capabilities and capacities of the manufacturing/ industrial sector in the country with the objective to facilitate this sector to meet the challenges of WTO, thus enabling Pakistan; Industry to be competitive in the international Market.

iv. To promote Non-Agricultural goods as vehicles for National Economic growth and reduction of National poverty levels.

v. To increase productivity and profitability of industrial goods.