The WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement: Implications for Pakistan’s Domestic Trade Policy Formulation

Abstract

Recognizing that trade facilitation has contributed significantly to reducing costs and time in cross-border trade, World Trade Organization (WTO) members adopted the new Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) at the last ministerial conference in Bali. WTO members are now gearing up to implement the commitments ensuing from the TFA in accordance with the special and differential treatment stipulated for developing countries. This paper assesses the impact of the TFA on Pakistan’s national trade policy and shows how the process of policy formulation in Pakistan should be adjusted so that the agreement can be promptly and correctly implemented on a sustainable basis.