Technical Capacity Building Workshop on Afghanistan’s Accession to WTO Report

Technical Capacity Building Workshop
on Afghanistan’s Accession to WTO
New Delhi, 22-24 August 2012
Report
South and South-West Asia Office (ESCAP-SSWA)
UN-Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP)
C-2 Qutab Institutional Area, New Delhi-110016, India
Email: [email protected]
International Trade Centre (ITC)
54-56 Rue de Montbrillant, 1202 Geneva, Switzerland
Postal address : Palais des Nations, 1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland
Technical Capacity Building for Afghanistan’s Accession to WTO
Abbreviations
ESCAP-SSWA
:
ESCAP South and South-West Asia Office
FICCI
:
Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry
GATS
:
General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade
IIFT
:
Indian Institute of Foreign Trade
ITC
:
International Trade Centre
LDCs
:
Least developed country
MFTR
:
Memorandum on the Foreign Trade Regime
MoCI
:
Ministry of Commerce and Industry – Afghanistan
SAWTEE
:
South Asia Watch on Trade, Economics & Environment
SPS
:
Sanitary and Phytosanitary measures
UN ESCAP
:
United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia
and the Pacific
WTO
:
World Trade Organization
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this report are those of the author(s) and should not
necessarily be considered as reflecting the views or carrying the endorsement of the United
Nations or its member states.
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INTRODUCTION
ESCAP South and South-West Asia Office (ESCAP-SSWA) in New Delhi, in collaboration with
the International Trade Centre (ITC) based in Geneva organized a public - private dialogue from
22 to 24 August 2012 in New Delhi to assist in building capacity in Afghanistan for its Accession
to the WTO. Afghanistan applied for WTO Membership in 2004 and the Second Working Party
was set up 2012 indicating that the negotiations has entered an active phase.
In line with the Istanbul Programme of Action (IPA) which underlines the importance of
supporting and facilitating the accession of LDCs to the WTO, and the Almaty Programme of
Action that emphasizes on the need to assist landlocked countries in their WTO accession, this
capacity-building Programme on WTO Accession of Afghanistan was mainly designed to initiate
and nurture a well-informed and structured policy dialogue between public and private sector
officials by addressing knowledge-gaps and related trade policy and development issues.
Recognizing that each accession process is unique, the three day programme (Annex 1) was
customized, and reflected the specific issues of interest to the Afghanistan’s WTO Accession
process. The programme covered a diverse set of subjects relating to the accession process
and negotiations including rules, market access, trade in services, standard and SPS
Agreement, generating a rich debate among the participants. Besides, the programme also
drew lessons from Nepal’s experience as the first Least Developed Country to have acceded to
the WTO and helped national officials develop a road map for WTO accession.
The participants at the workshop included 22 officials from Ministry of Commerce and Industry
and several leading trade chambers in Afghanistan. The list of participants is at Annex II.
ESCAP-SSWA and ITC considered the workshop as the first in a series of planned activities to
assist Afghanistan for the accession process with more specific themes to be addressed in
subsequent capacity building exercises in the future. As Afghanistan is moving into a crucial and
demanding phase of accession negotiations, with several Working Party meetings scheduled
from 2012 to 2014, this type of programme would gain even more relevance over time.
BACKGROUND: WTO ACCESSION OF AFGHANISTAN
Since applying for WTO Membership in 2004, the Government of Afghanistan has worked
actively to accelerate the WTO accession process. Led by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry,
the Government has identified policies and laws to be brought into compliance with WTO, and
started to develop initial offers for market access negotiations in goods and services. The
second Working Party of the Accession of Afghanistan took place in 2012 which signaled that
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the process has entered into higher gear of negotiation. WTO Members, during the Eighth WTO
Ministerial Conference (December 2011), applauded the Government of Afghanistan for its
liberal and export-led strategy as a basis for negotiating WTO membership. However,
Afghanistan’s strong Government commitment alone will not be sufficient to conclude the
negotiations; technical capacity and dialogue will need to be stepped-up in order to ensure
backing of all players.
In Afghanistan, as in most acceding countries, enhanced technical capacity of all stakeholders,
public and private sector, will be required to establish and nurture meaningful dialogue
throughout the negotiation process. In specific, a wider and deeper awareness of not only the
benefits of openness, competition and the role of the WTO but also the importance of
preserving the policy space for development is needed to bring about a national consensus for
WTO Membership. A pro-active and constructive dialogue among key stakeholders in particular
with the private sector, is needed in informing and consulting their member-base, as well as
advocating their business interests in the negotiation process. This can only exist upon
enhancing their understanding of the pros and cons of WTO Accession for their country.
Day 1: Wednesday, 22 August 2012
Inaugural Session
Dr. Nagesh Kumar, Chief Economist of ESCAP and Director, ESCAP-SSWA welcoming the
chief guest His Excellency H E Shaida M. Abdali, Ambassador of Afghanistan and other guests
and participants stated that he was greatly encouraged by the overwhelming positive response
received from the Government of Afghanistan when the proposal was forwarded to capital Kabul
through the Embassy, in particular from H.E Mozammil Shinwari, Deputy-Minister of Commerce
and Industry who responded immediately endorsing this programme.
He further emphasized that UNESCAP SSWA has committed to support Afghanistan in
providing technical assistance capacity building and training to support Afghanistan’s national
effort of integrating with the world economy. In that light the accession to the World Trade
Organization (WTO) which is the only multilateral trade rule making body is an important step
for small countries like Afghanistan to further harness the benefits of participation in
international trade despite the fact that Doha Round of trade negotiation is currently lagging
behind. WTO membership can also help Afghanistan to initiate vital domestic legal and
economic policy reform
He highlighted the importance of weighing the cost of accession to the WTO against the
benefits, which would otherwise result in compromising vital national interest such as loss of
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policy space that is needed to address future development needs of Afghanistan. In concluding
his opening remarks, it was stated that this programme on WTO accession would not be one off
event but the ESCAP-SSWA in partnership with the ITC would be happy to continue the
programme in accordance with the specific need of the Government of Afghanistan including for
building productive and trade capacity for taking advantage of the market access that may
become available from a successful accession to WTO.
Mr. Rajesh Aggarwal, Chief, Business and Trade Policy, ITC, Geneva, while thanking
UNESCAP for its collaboration for hosting this workshop, described this three-day event as the
first of its kind being organized by the International Trade Centre (ITC) in partnership with
UNESCAP, in support of Afghanistan’s bid to WTO membership. He observed that this
workshop was a part of ITC and WTO’s joint programme on building trade capacity for acceding
LDCs under which ITC had supported Samoa, which acceded earlier this year, Lao PDR and
Yemen, which are likely to complete their accession process later this year, and Ethiopia, where
the pace of negotiations is yet to pick up.
While emphasizing the importance of improved understanding by all stakeholders of the
business implications of WTO membership, its opportunities and challenges, he outlined three
basic principles of ITC’s strategy in implementing this ITC’s support programme on WTO
Accession. First, ITC has always advocated the notion that WTO negotiations cannot be
successfully concluded unless they are conducted in the backdrop of an already on-going
domestic reform process which has the backing of all the important stake-holders. Second, the
actual involvement and commitment of the private sector would be crucial in order to
successfully conclude WTO accession deal to that extent this programme could play a part in
widening and deepening the awareness of the benefits of openness, competition and the role of
WTO. Third, ITC encourages the collaboration between the Government and the private sector
on a regular and sustained basis through well-established and functioning mechanisms to
ensure that the genuine concerns of the private sector are fed into the negotiating positions. In
closing he stated that ITC was keen to continue this programme and plan on future activities in
consultation with the Government of Afghanistan and private sector with UNESCAP.
His Excellency Mr Shaida M. Abdali, Ambassador of Afghanistan in India, inaugurated the
conference and in his opening address, he extended the gratitude of the Afghan people and
government to UNESCAP and the International Trade Centre (ITC) for co-sponsoring the
training seminar. He underlined that the benefits of accession to WTO would help Afghanistan
to realize full multi-dimensional potential for sustainable development and achieve the core
objective of the WTO itself, that is, to facilitate unhindered international trade and investment.
Thus reforming legal environment and implementing improved trade facilitations must be seen
as a source of welfare for the citizens of Afghanistan.
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In this regard, he recalled the historical importance of the geo-strategic position of the country in
international trade relations, and enhanced the emerging economic regional opportunities in
which Afghanistan should now be involved. Afghanistan –a landlocked country still faces various
challenges such as terrorism, but is situated at the crossroads of the new centers of the world
economy and will develop through bilateral and multilateral trade partnerships. His Excellency
praised the progress made by his country on its path to WTO accession but also added that it
was urgent to accelerate the process. He stated that the programme of this nature not only built
the critical institutional capacity that is direly needed in Afghanistan but also encourage and
facilitate public-private dialogue on issues that cannot be addressed by one side alone.
Perhaps, more than in any country, the two sectors must communicate and collaborate closely
in order to address the many intertwined security and economic needs of Afghanistan. he was
delighted to see both sectors well represented at the workshop.
Session 1
Multilateralism, Regionalism and Development Challenges
Dr. Nagesh Kumar, Chief Economist of ESCAP and Director, ESCAP-SSWA in his
presentation, provided insights into the relationship between trade and development, the
advantages of the multilateral framework for trade liberalization from a development perspective
and challenges it faces. The presentation comprehensively covered the recent trends in
regionalism and its place in a country’s trade policy in the context of recent trends in global
economic order and multilateral trade negotiations. Dr. Kumar stressed the importance of strong
multilateral framework and effective negotiation by leveraging the coalitions during the
multilateral trade negotiations, especially for weaker players. The presentation emphasized on
increasing regional economic integration as key step for countries’ development strategy,
especially for the South and South West Asian countries.
Session 2
Introduction to the WTO Accession: Functioning, Main principles and
procedural aspects of accession: Benefits and challenges of WTO
Membership
Mr. Arif Hussain, Senior Adviser on WTO Accession, ITC (and former Director of the WTO
Accessions Division) introduced the principal functions of the WTO and familiarized participants
with the benefits and challenges of becoming a member of WTO. In the discussion Mr. Hussain
introduced to participants the functions of the multilateral trading system and core principles that
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are the foundation of the multilateral trading system. He explained the functions, strengths, the
effective dispute settlement system and the limitations of WTO as a multi-lateral organization.
Mr Hussain highlighted, that the WTO membership is important for a country as it brings in
predictability, transparency and enables to secure access for its products and services to
foreign markets. The membership shall be an opportunity for Afghanistan to initiate effective
national and domestic economic reform. And, as an LDC, Afghanistan will be eligible for
concessions and flexibilities.
Mr. Hussain also provided an overview of the accession process to the WTO, focusing on the
organization and the flow of the work involved during the accession process. He explained the
increasing role and active participation by Least Developed Countries (LDC’s) in bilateral
negotiations and decision making process at WTO and on the vital role played by international
organization like ITC in the accession process. Mr. Hussain applauded the efforts that have
been so far made by the government of Afghanistan in submitting the Memorandum on the
Foreign Trade Regime (MFTR) to the WTO
Session 3
WTO Accession of Afghanistan: Status of the negotiation process;
Benefits and Challenges
Mr. Hafizullah Baha, Professional Member of WTO Directorate, International Trade
Department, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of Afghanistan presented the
current status of his country’s WTO accession process. In the session Mr. Baha described
briefly the objectives pursued by Afghanistan in pursuing WTO membership. He explained that
presently the private sector is handicapped, for lack of internationally accepted trading
companies, appropriate marketing, financing and support institutions. The WTO membership
shall pave the way for addressing the above issues, bringing stability in policy and attracting
foreign investments to the country. Afghanistan being a land locked country, the WTO
membership shall also help gain transit rights to access to sea route through neighbouring
countries and in turn to international markets.
Mr Baha explained that the accession strategy would be mainly guided by above objectives as
part of country’s effort to effectively integrate into the global economy. He also narrated the
process and steps initiated by Afghanistan in pursuit of the accession to WTO to-date. Mr. Baha
provided an update on the proceedings of Working Party meeting of Afghanistan which was
held on 18th June 2012 and the first round of bilateral negotiations regarding services was
conducted with the United States in June 2012. He informed the meeting that Afghanistan is in
the process of drafting and amending laws, regulations and procedures to bring domestic
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legislation in line with WTO rules. Mr. Baha emphasized on the challenges and opportunities for
Afghanistan in gaining WTO membership.
Session 4
Case Study: Lessons Learnt from Nepal’s Experience
During the session Dr. Posh Raj Pandey, Executive Chairman, South Asia Watch on Trade
Economics and Environment (SAWTEE) who had been deeply involved in Nepal’s accession
process presented a case study on ‘Nepal’s accession to WTO’. Nepal completed the
negotiation process for WTO accession, and obtained WTO membership in 2003. The session
discussed on the issue of ‘stakeholder confidence’ and the interplay between Government,
society and private sector contributing to Nepal’s accession to the WTO. The case study of
Nepal’s accession was interesting and relevant as both Afghanistan and Nepal are both land
locked countries with LDC’s status facing similar development challenges in particular with
respect to participation in international trade.
Dr. Pandey, described how Nepal recognized WTO membership as a means for over all
development by improving democratic accountability, identifying development needs of different
sectors and capacity building of institutions. Nepal, after joining the WTO experienced high
growth rate in GDP, investment, national savings, exports and overall economy. He highlighted
industrialization, protection of local farmers, encouraging foreign investment, and improving
exports as the basis for Nepal’s WTO negotiations.
Dr Pandey emphasized the importance of wideranging consultation process and involvement of
private sector in the accession process. In Nepal’s case establishment of high level committee,
the technical committee, dedicated team and technical assistance received from UNDP and
UNCTAD accelerated the accession process. He also briefed on Nepal’s WTO negotiations and
commitments in goods and services. Dr. Pandey, based on his experience also put forwarded
a few suggestions to Afghanistan as to the process and substance of negotiations.
Thursday, 23 August 2012 (DAY 2)
Session 5
National Trade Policy for Export Competitiveness: Informed Business
Advocacy for Reform
Mr. Rajesh Aggarwal, Chief, Business and Trade Policy, ITC, Geneva at this session provided
participants with an understanding of the linkages between trade policy and export
competitiveness. On the basis of ITC’s Trade Policy Framework, Mr. Aggarwal underlined the
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success-factors for business competitiveness, as well as objectives enabling export-led growth.
He added that the trade competitiveness framework needs to be a comprehensive one targeting
all the impediments at the border and behind border. Thus trade policy instruments should be
focused on a range of issues: costs of inputs (import duties on raw materials and intermediate
goods), infrastructure services costs (transport, communication and finance efficiency),
business environment, standards compliance (SPS and other technical standards), exports
costs (trade facilitation) and market access (distribution, preferential trade regime). The
objectives of such framework are: removing anti-export bias, creating competitive infrastructure
services, promoting foreign direct investment, moving good across borders effectively and
addressing export market issues.
Session 6
Roundtable Discussion: How can the private sector and stakeholders
engage constructively in the negotiation process?
Mr. Manab Majumdar, Assistant Secretary General, FICCI chaired the session. The other
speakers of the session were and Mr Alhaj Rahmuddin Haji Agha, CEO of Raheem Khairy Ltd
and Director of Afghanistan Advisory Board of National Entrepreneurs (AABNE) and Mr.
Mohammad Daoud Sultanzoy, Expert on Political and Economic Issues.
Sharing his experience at FICCI, Mr. Majunmdar emphasized the importance of constituting an
effective consultation and communication mechanism involving key stakeholders (government
officials, private sector, research organization) which is critical for ensuring inclusive trade policy
making. It was stated that as part of the core activities of FICCI, it regularly interacts with
policy makers on trade policy matters while providing valuable inputs to the government on the
basis of feedback received from stakeholders through their own consultation mechanism that
have greatly contributed to create a pro-active business community. He further underlined the
importance of the predictability and credibility of any policy framework in the absence of which a
country is unable to send out strong signals to outside countries. In this perspective, there is a
necessity for the private sector to constantly engage with public sector.
While the panelists recalled the important gaps in terms of industrial and banking capacities in
Afghanistan, discussions focused on the need for access to foreign capital and the huge
potential of the country as a transit for trade and energy distribution in the region. Thus
representatives of Afghanistan regretted being hostages of unfriendly political choices from Iran
and Pakistan when they closed all transit routes during the season of agricultural exports.
Mr. Daoud stressed the importance of private sector in economic development of his country,
which according to him has been reactive to market rather than proactive due to issues
including lack of security, predictability and conducive environment. Furthermore, he expressed
his optimism on much larger involvement of private sector in the future to act as a catalyst for
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development. He further added “it’s the right time for introducing better legislations and better
government policies to support the private sector, benefiting from international experiences”
Mr Alhaj Rahmuddin expressed his view on the advantages of WTO membership for
Afghanistan and was optimistic that the membership would bring more opportunities in
enhancing transportation of goods through transit corridors, dry ports and energy sectors. He
also underlined the importance of regional cooperation for Afghanistan’s development.
Sessions 7 & 8
Trade in Services and WTO Accession:
Regulating Openness in Services Sectors, Economic importance of services
trade and regulations; negotiating market access in services (lessons-learnt)
In this session Mr. Sumanta Chaudhuri, Joint Secretary, Department of Commerce, Ministry of
Commerce and Industry, Govt. of India, introduced participants to ‘services trade’ which is
growing in economic importance globally and in the region and its relevance for the entire
private sector. Mr. Chaudhuri explained key features, including categorization of services in
different modes of services trade, and how domestic regulations are impacted by the GATS.
Using the Indian example of liberalizing trade in services, the session highlighted the potentials
for economic growth through the services sector development, regulation and liberalization.
Services were included for the first time in the Uruguay round in 1995: General Agreement on
Trade in Services (GATS) is very wide and affects all services, except those in exercise of
Government authority, and most of Air Traffic Services. He clarified the four modes of supply:
Cross border (e.g. consulting), Consumption abroad (e.g. tourism), Commercial presence (e.g.
banking) and Presence of natural persons (e.g. migration of skilled personnel). Mr. Chaudhuri
stressed the importance of mode 3 as crucial and said it depends on the way Afghanistan will
define its foreign investment regime. In light of Afghanistan’s negotiations on services, as a
WTO acceding country, Mr. Chaudhuri elaborated how the ‘Scheduling of Commitments’
should be structured under different modes taking into account of policy intentions. In this
exercise he emphasized the importance of drawing lessons from the implications of
commitments that have been inscribed by the recently accessed countries such as Viet Nam
and Nepal.
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DAY 3: Friday, 24 August 2012
Session 9 &10
Market Access Negotiations (request and offer) in goods and
services. LDC Accession Experience and Commitments
The speaker of session Mr. Sajal Mathur, Centre for WTO Studies, IIFT, New Delhi who also
served as secretary to Working Party of Accession of Afghanistan, provided insights into the
conditions and processes that need to be followed by countries before becoming a member of
WTO. In this context Mr. Mathur elaborated on the process of bilateral negotiations involved in
market access, commitments on tariffs of Goods and commitments on trade in services which
constitute, among others, an integral part of WTO accession process. The presentation also
explained important WTO rules and disciplines and allowed an in-depth understanding of the
actual negotiation and accession process.
During the discussion a great deal of attention was paid to clarifying the preparation of
‘Schedule of Tariff Concessions’ and other key terminologies used in scheduling such as Tariff
bindings, Initial Negotiating Rights (INRs), Tariff-Rate Quotas, non-tariff concessions,
Agriculture Subsidies, MFN rates. Mr. Mathur also enlightened the participants about other
substantive disciplines embodied in WTO system customs-related regulations, import and
export restrictions, domestic support, rules on state-trading enterprises etc. Transparency and
notification obligations that acceded members are required to abide by, were explained with
some specific examples. Further, while sharing the experiences of recently acceded LDCs he
discussed about market access negotiations and how to approach them by identifying sensitive
products and service sectors, and also underlined the importance of sector by sector analyses
of domestic capabilities while deciding on the limits of negotiation.
Considering the LDC status of Afghanistan, Mr. Mathur also elaborated on special and
differential treatment for acceding LDCs and transitional arrangements to be granted taking into
account individual development, financial and trade needs of the LDC. He suggested that
Afghanistan should fully make use of such flexibilities while negotiating with the WTO
membership. He also stressed that transition periods are granted on the basis of action plans
and with Technical Assistance (TA) to support implementation of verifiable action plans.
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Session 11
Market Openness in Selected Service Sectors: Telecommunications;
Financial Services; Energy; Transport
Mr. Hafizullah Baha, Professional Member of WTO Directorate, International Trade Department,
Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of Afghanistan made a comprehensive
presentation clarifying the domestic policy-issues and considerations that would determine
Afghanistan’s position and interests in the area of accession negotiations in services. The
following points were highlighted.
 Previously the public sector was the primary supplier of services in Afghanistan and the
role of the private sector was highly limited.

By adopting a development and growth strategy based on an open, private sector-led
market economy, there had been a substantial increase in trade in services in a number
of areas.

The aim of the Government's policy was to efficiently meet consumer needs by ensuring
effective competition among service providers subject to the regulation of services
sectors via licensing.
 Foreign investment in services and foreign companies in general were currently leading
the development of the service sector.
 The general policy is to promote open competition in all sectors of services in the
country.

there is no exclusive or monopolistic rights to provide services in the country, except in
electricity and drinking water
He informed the meeting that Afghanistan’s offer on services was submitted to WTO secretariat
in June 2012 after having completed an extensive domestic consultation process involving
concerned departments and private sector. While elaborating the commitments inscribed in the
schedule submitted, he stated that almost around 90 service sub sectors are added to the
Afghanistan offer on services with the hope that these sectors would bring tangible employment
creation opportunities in Afghanistan through foreign direct investment. In this context he
clarified that offers inscribed in national treatment and market access columns in the schedule
of horizontal commitments are clear indication of a friendly foreign investment regime intended
to encourage FDI in to the country.
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Session 12
Negotiating WTO Accession: Standards and SPS Agreement
Dr. Dayaratna Silva, Deputy Head, ESCAP SSWA, in the session reinforced the importance of
food and agriculture sector of Afghanistan economy and the need for compliance of WTO
discipline on SPS discipline in the accession negotiations. Dr. Silva discussed international
standards and measures to be followed by WTO member countries while trading in food and
agricultural products. He explained sanitary and phytosanitary measures (SPS Agreement)
which allows governments to restrict trade in order to protect human animal or plant life or
health but arbitrary use of such measures are not consistent with WTO discipline. He
emphasized, Afghanistan being an agricultural economy, compliance with the SPS standards is
vital to develop strong export oriented food sector which is currently limited to regional markets
in the region. The session enabled participants gain insights into the agreement that sets out the
basic rules for food safety and animal and plant health requirements. With regards to the
Afghanistan’s WTO accession Dr. Silva recommended an action plan with government
establishing a dedicated unit to service the negotiation relating to SPS issue, manned with staff
specialized in the field of food safety, animal and plant health.
Concluding Session
Dr. Nagesh Kumar, Chief Economist of ESCAP and Director, ESCAP-SSWA, Mr. Rajesh
Aggarwal, Chief, Business and Trade Policy, ITC, Geneva and Mr. M. Ashraf Haidari, Deputy
Ambassador, Embassy of Afghanistan spoke during the session
Mr. Rajesh Aggarwal, in his remarks assured the representatives of government of
Afghanistan other participant every possible support of ITC to government of Afghanistan in the
Accession process.
Mr. M. Ashraf Haidari, in his concluding remark highlighted the strategic advantage of
Afghanistan connecting the east to the west and north to the south and look ahead for
Afghanistan to play key role in international trade he also thanked and welcomed the support
and assistance extended by ESCAP, ITC and the international community as a whole.
In his closing remarks Dr. Nagesh Kumar, thanked the deputy Ambassador of Afghanistan,
distinguished participants from Afghanistan, expert speakers of the sessions and guests, for the
strong support they extended for making the program a grand success. He assured that he and
his team would strive to meet the developmental aspirations of members States from the South
and South-West Asian Subregion.
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14
Annexure I
Technical Capacity Building for
Afghanistan’s Accession to WTO – Lessons from Recent Accession
& their Development and Business Implications
22-24 August 2012, New Delhi
Venue: Conference Hall, ESCAP-SSWA
C-2 Qutub Institutional Area, New Delhi
Programme
Wednesday, 22 August 2012 (DAY 1)
09.30 – 10.00
Registration and coffee
10.00 – 10.30
Opening Session
Welcome Address by Dr. Nagesh Kumar, Head, ESCAP South and South West
Asia Office and Chief Economist of UN-ESCAP
Opening Remarks by Mr. Rajesh Aggarwal, Chief, Business and Trade Policy,
ITC, Geneva
Statement by H.E. Mr. Shaida Mohhamad Abdali, Ambassador of Afghanistan,
New Delhi
10.30 – 11.30
Session 1: Multilateralism , Regionalism and Development Challenges
Speaker: Dr. Nagesh Kumar, Head, ESCAP SSWA
Open Discussion
11.30 – 11.45
Coffee/Tea Break
11.45 – 13.00
Session 2: Introduction to the WTO Accession: Functioning, Main
principles and procedural aspects of accession. Benefits and challenges
of WTO Membership
Speaker: Mr. Arif Hussain, Senior Adviser on WTO Accession, ITC (and former
Director of the WTO Accessions Division)
Highlighting the principal functions of the WTO, this session will introduce
participants to the benefits and challenges of becoming a member of WTO.
Participants will be introduced to the functions of the multilateral trading system,
core principles that are the foundation of the multilateral trading system ‘Most
Favoured Nation’, and National Treatment.
Overview of the accession process to the WTO, focusing on the organization
and the flow of the work involved during the accession process.
Open discussion
13.00 – 14.00
Lunch
14.00 – 15.00
Session 3: WTO Accession of Afghanistan: Status of the negotiation
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process; Benefits and Challenges
Speaker: Mr. Hafizullah Baha, Professional Member of WTO Directorate,
International Trade Department, Ministry of Commerce and Industry,
Government of Afghanistan
Presentation and discussion focusing on the objectives pursued with WTO
Membership of Afghanistan, as well as the accession strategy guiding those
objectives. Perspectives on the unique situation of Afghanistan economy and
regulatory environment, as a background to the Government-led negotiations
and reform-process.
Open Discussion
15.00-15.15
Tea break
15.15 – 17.00
Session 4: Case Study: Lessons Learnt from Nepal’s Experience
Speaker: Dr. Posh Raj Pandey, Executive Chairman, South Asia Watch on
Trade Economics and Environment (SAWTEE)
Nepal completed the negotiation process for WTO Accession, and obtained
WTO Membership in 2003.SAWTEE was one of the non-governmental
organizations (NGOs) which played an active and positive role in Nepal’s
accession to WTO, emphasizing critical areas for attention, and pointing
towards opportunities for the country’s development. This session sheds light
on the issue of ‘stakeholder confidence’ & the interplay between Government,
society and private sector contributing to Nepal’s accession to the WTO.
Open Discussion
Thursday, 23 August 2012 (DAY 2)
09.30 – 11.00
Session 5: National Trade Policy for Export Competitiveness: Informed
Business Advocacy for Reform
Speaker: Mr. Rajesh Aggarwal, Chief, Business and Trade Policy, ITC, Geneva
This session provides participants with an understanding of the linkages
between trade policy and export competitiveness. On the basis of ITC’s Trade
Policy Framework, participants will understand the success-factors for business
competitiveness, as well as objectives enabling export-led growth.
11.00 – 11:15
Coffee/Tea Break
11:15 – 12.00
Continued Session 5 + Open discussion
12.00 – 13.00
Session 6 : Roundtable / Discussion
How can the private sector and stakeholders engage constructively in the
negotiation process?
Speaker/Moderator: Mr. Manab Majumdar, Assistant Secretary General, FICCI
Supporting a pro-active business community, this presentation will also shed
light on potentials and instruments of effective business advocacy and public
private collaboration.
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Open Discussion
13.00 – 14.00
Lunch
14.00 – 15.00
Session 7: Trade in Services
Speaker: Mr. Sumanta Chaudhuri, Joint Secretary, Department of Commerce,
Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Govt. of India
This session will introduce participants to services trade, the growing economic
importance and its relevance for the entire private sector. Using the Indian
example of liberalizing trade in services, this session will highlight the potentials
for economic growth through services development, regulation and liberalization.
Open discussion
15.00 - 15.15
Coffee/Tea Break
15.15 – 17.00
Session 8: WTO Accession: Regulating Openness in Services Sectors.
Economic importance of services, trade and regulations; negotiating
market access in services (lessons-learnt)
Speaker: Mr. Sumanta Chaudhuri, Joint Secretary, Department of Commerce,
Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Govt. of India
Introduction to multilateral framework that regulates services trade multilaterally;
the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS). Explanation of key
features, including categorization of services in different modes of services
trade, and how domestic regulations are impacted by the GATS.
In light of Afghanistan’s negotiations on services, as a WTO Acceding country,
introduction to the ‘Scheduling of commitments’ and commitments undertaken by
recently acceded countries.
Open Discussion
Friday, 24 August 2012 (DAY 3)
09:30 – 11:00
Session 9: Market Access Negotiations (request and offer) in goods and
services. LDC Accession Experience and Commitments
Speaker: Mr. Sajal Mathur, Centre for WTO Studies, IIFT, New Delhi
In this session, participants will gain insights about the conditions of becoming
a member of WTO, on ‘terms to be agreed’. The presentation will focus on the
substance of the negotiation process, specifically market access commitments
on tariffs. The presentation will take into account lessons learnt from recently
completed WTO Accession processes.
Open Discussion
11:00 – 11:15
Coffee/Tea Break
11:15 – 13:00
Session 10: Negotiating WTO Accession: rules and other specific
commitments, including their business implications
Speaker: Mr. Sajal Mathur, Centre for WTO Studies, IIFT, New Delhi
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Technical Capacity Building for Afghanistan’s Accession to WTO
17
This session will introduce participants to experiences from recently acceded
countries, in specific with regard to complying with multilateral rules, such as
customs-related regulations, import and export restrictions, domestic support,
rules on state-trading enterprises. Attention to Members transparency and
notification obligations.
Open discussion
13:00 – 14.00
Lunch
14.00 – 15.00
Session 11: Market Openness in Selected Service Sectors:
Telecommunications; Financial Services; Energy; Transport
Speaker: Mr. Hafizullah Baha, Professional Member of WTO Directorate,
International
Trade Department, Ministry of Commerce and Industry,
Government of Afghanistan
With a view to Afghanistan’s negotiations in the field of services, this session
sheds light on the domestic policy-issues and considerations that will
determine Afghanistan’s position and interests in the negotiations.
Open Discussion
15.00 – 16.00
Session 12: Negotiating WTO Accession : Standards and SPS
Agreement
Speaker: Mr. Dayaratna Silva, Deputy Head, ESCAP SSWA
As the Agriculture sector remains a cornerstone for many economies, it also is
a sensitive part of the WTO Accession negotiations. Apart from market access
for agricultural products, WTO Membership also requires countries to comply
with international standards in protecting health. The WTO Agreement on the
Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Agreement) allows
governments to restrict trade in order to protect human, animal or plant life or
health, provided this is scientifically justified and follows certain requirements.
In this introductory session, participants will gain insights into the agreement
that sets out the basic rules for food safety and animal and plant health
requirements.
Open Discussion
16.00 – 16.15
Coffee/Tea Break
16.15 – 17.00
Concluding Session: Recommendations for Afghanistan Strategy for
WTO Accession
Building stakeholder confidence for WTO Accession of Afghanistan: what role
for the private sector? What lessons from Nepal and other countries’ accession
processes for Afghanistan?
Open Discussion
17.00
Evaluation and Vote of Thanks
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Technical Capacity Building for Afghanistan’s Accession to WTO
Annexure II
LIST OF PARTICIPANTS
AFGHANISTAN
H.E. Mr. Shaida Mohhamad Abdali, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Embassy of
Afghanistan, 5/50F, Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110 021. Tel: +91-11-24103331,
24100486
Mr. M. Ashraf Haidari, Deputy Ambassador, Embassy of Afghanistan, 5/50F, Shantipath,
Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110 021. Tel: +91-11-24870486; E-mail: [email protected]
Mr. Ahmad Fardin Zalali, Deputy Commercial Attache, Embassy of Afghanistan, 5/50F,
Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110 021. Tel: +91-11-26111527; E-mail:
[email protected]
Mr. Hafizullah Walirahimi, Director, Ministry of Commerce and Industries (MOCI), 19, DarulAman Road, Kabul, Aghanistan. Tel:+93-79831333/772016828; Email: [email protected]
Mr. Mirwais Ahmad Zai, HR Director, Ministry of Commerce and Industries (MOCI), Karte Say
Darulaman
Road,
Kabul,
Afghanistan.
Tel:
+93-202502370/700176070;
Email:
[email protected]
Mr. Anar Gul Sahadat, Director of Enterprises and Reforms Corporation, Ministry of Commerce
and Industries (MOCI), Kart-e-Now, 8th District, Kabul, Afghanistan. Tel: +93-700200438/
788921459
Mr. Mohammad Daoud Sultanzoy, Expert on Political and Economic Issues and TV Presenter at
Tolo News TV. House # 259, Street 4, District 6, Karti Se, Kabul, Afghanistan. Tel: +93700626666; Email: [email protected]
Ms. Bibi Haji Parwin Durani, Afghanistan Advisory Board of National Entrepreneurs (AABNE),
Hasa Sewan Khair Khanna Parwan Hotel Mohsin Massod Co Kabul, Afganistan. Tel : +93
799329632; E-mail: [email protected]
Mr. Alhaj Rahmuddin Haji Agha, CEO of Raheem Khairy Ltd and Director of Board, Afghanistan
Advisory Board of National Entrepreneurs (AABNE), Darulaman Road, Kart C-3, KabulAfganistan. Tel: +93 700 36 7918 Fax: +93 781367918; E-mail: [email protected]
Mr. Mirwais Yousufzai, Ministry of Commerce and Industries (MOCI), Karta-Maw-District 8,
Kabul, Afghanistan. Tel: +93-785504505/700976322; Email: [email protected]
Mr. Hafizullah Baha, Professional Member of WTO, Ministry of Commerce and Industries
(MOCI), 1004 Darul Aman, Kabul, Afghanistan. Tel: +93-791802832/772652564; Email:
[email protected]
Mr. Mohammad Asghar Anwari, Professional Member of WTO, Ministry of Commerce and
Industries (MOCI), 1004 Darul Aman, Kabul, Afghanistan. Tel: +93-787523218/700224812;
Email: [email protected]
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Technical Capacity Building for Afghanistan’s Accession to WTO
Mr. Sultan Masoud Sultani, Trade Agencies Officer, Ministry of Commerce and Industries
(MOCI), Kart-se-darul Aman Road, Kabul, Afghanistan. Tel: +93-799389510; Email:
[email protected]
Mr. Nisar Ahmad Masoud, Regional Trade Advisor, Ministry of Commerce and Industries
(MOCI), Karte Se Darulaman Road, Kabul, Afghanistan. Tel: +93-795400178/774241250;
Email: [email protected]
Mr. Mohammad Azim Wardak, WTO Desk Officer, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), 5th
District, Kabul, Afghanistan. Tel: +93-2104350; Email: [email protected]
Mr. Naqibullah Ahmadzai, National Expert, Ministry of Commerce and Industries (MOCI), 1004
Darul Aman, Kabul, Afghanistan. Tel: +93-776084228; Email: [email protected]
Ms. Somaya Salman Ali, Office Manager, Afghan Women Business Federation (AWBF)Affiliated member of the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce & Inudstries (ACCI). Email:
[email protected]
Mr. Mohammad Muhsin, Afganistan Advisory Board of National Entrenears (AABNE), Esa
Sewan Khair Khanna Parwan Hotel Mohsin Massod Co Kabul, Afganistan. Tel: + 93
799329632; E-mail: [email protected]
Mr. Abdul Hai Qadari, Director of New Qadari Co. Ltd. and Member of Kandahar Advisory
Borad, 308 # 3rd Floor Ansari Buisness Center Kandahar, Afghanistan. Tel :+ 93 30 200 2818
Fax: +93 700837085; E-mail: [email protected]
Mr. Mir Ahmad Haji Malim, Director of Pashton Gafari Col. Ltd. and Assistant, Kandahar
Advisory Board, Haji. Nazar Jan Market, First Floor No: 45, Kandahar, Afghanistan. Tel: +93
700 304181; E-mail: [email protected]
Mr. Sarfaraz Sahebzada, Business Development Manager, Balkh Chamber of Commerce and
Industries (BCCI), Kart-e-aryana-mazar-e-sharif, Kabul, Afghanistan. Tel: 93-502045042; Email:
[email protected]; [email protected]
Mr. Ali Zaki, Regional and International Organization’s Desk Manager, Afganistan Chamber of
Commerce and Industries (ACCI), Chaman-e-Huzuri, next to Kabul Nandari, Kabul,
Afghanistan. Tel: +93-752130773; Email: [email protected]; [email protected]
Mr. Ahmad Fawad Farhmand, Export Promotion Manager, Kabul Chamber of Commerce and
Industries ( KCCI), Chaman-e-Huzuri, next to Kabul Nandari, Kabul, Afghanistan. Tel: +93752130773/798251241; Email: [email protected]
Mr. Mojahedullah, Vice President, Kunar Chamber of Commerce and Industries ( KCCI), C4,
3rd Floor, Computer City Plaza, Haji Yaqoob Square, Kabul, Afghanistan. Tel: +93-202200995;
Email: [email protected]
Mr. Ajmal Shams, Association Development Officer, Nangarhar Chambers of Commerce and
Industries (NCCI), Nangarhar, Jalal Abad City, Afghanistan.
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Technical Capacity Building for Afghanistan’s Accession to WTO
RESOURCE PERSONS/SPEAKERS
Dr. Nagesh Kumar, Head, ESCAP South and South-West Asia Office and Chief Economist of
ESCAP, C-2, Qutab Institutional Area, Post Box No. 4575, New Delhi 110 016. Tel: +91-1130973701/02; Fax: +91-11-26856274; E-mail: [email protected]
Mr.Rajesh Aggarwal, Chief, Business and Trade Policy, International Trade Centre (ITC),
Geneva, Palais des Nations, 1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland. Tel: +41 22 730 0306; Fax. +4122-730.0570; E-mail: [email protected]
Mr. Arif Hussain, Senior Adviser on WTO Accession, International Trade Centre (ITC) and
Former Director, WTO Accession Division, International Trade Centre (ITC), Geneva, Palais
des Nations, 1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland. E-mail: “Arif Hussain” <[email protected]>
Mr. Sumanta Chaudhuri, Joint Secretary, Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and
Industry, Government of India, Udyog Bhawan, New Delhi. Tel: +91-11-23063766; E-mail:
[email protected]
Dr. Dayaratna Silva, Deputy Head, ESCAP South and South-West Asia Office, C-2, Qutab
Institutional Area, Post Box No. 4575, New Delhi 110 016. Tel: +91-11-30973703; Fax: +91-1126856274; E-mail: [email protected]
Dr. Posh Raj Pandey, Executive Chairman South Asia Watch on Trade Economics and
Environment (SAWTEE) P.O Box: 19366 Tukucha Marg, Baluwatar Kathmandu, Nepal. Tel:
977-1-4444438, 4424360; Fax: 977-1-4444570; Email: [email protected]
Mr. Sajal Mathur, Professor, Centre for WTO Studies, Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, Room
No. 722 D, IIFT Bhawan, B-21, Qutab Institutional Area, New Delhi – 110016. Telefax: +91 11
26512151; Email: [email protected]
Mr. Manab Majumdar, Assistant Secretary General, Federation of Indian Chambers of
Commerce of Industry (FICCI), Federation House, Tansen Marg, New Delhi 110001. Tel: +9111-23357390/23765322; E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]
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