WTO, FBCCI review Trade Policy

---

A two-member delegation of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) led by its Councillor Mario Kakabadse held a meeting with the leaders of FBCCI and representatives of other trade associations on 'WTO Trade Policy Review' in the city Tuesday. Acting President of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) M Jashim Uddin presided over the meeting, said a press release. The present review is the fourth of its kind. The last trade policy review was taken place in September, 2006. Among others, David Fenning and Christopher Broxholme of EU Trade Policy Support Programme, Farooq Ahmed, secretary general of MCCI, Mostofa Azad Chowdhury Babu, FBCCI vice-president, SM Istiak, chief of programmes of Bangladesh Shrimp and Fish Foundation, Minhajul Islam, chairman, Standing Committee on Development and Implementation for UD Automation Software of BGMEA, Nesar Ahmed, director, WTO Cell, Ministry of Commerce and Manzur Ahmed, adviser of FBCCI were present at the meeting. Mario Kakabadse at the meeting said the main objective of the meeting is to exchange views with the private sector and pursue greater transparency of trade-related measures. The finalised policy review meeting will be taking place on September 2012. He mentioned that there are various issues, including tax and non-tax incentive, domestic trade support being provided to businesses, especially exports, need to be addressed. Jashim Uddin said for the fourth Trade Policy Review, the WTO has sought basic information on over 100 topics relating to trade, investment, customs procedures, preferential schemes, balance of payments (BoP) situation, subsidies, and the state of food security and performance of the manufacturing sector. This trade-related information was sent to the WTO headquarters on September this year, he said. He also sought attention of WTO to address some key issues that are very significant in the context of policy issue.