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WTO Regime and implications for Pakistan. PILDAT Briefing Session for Parliamentarians Welcome Remarks & Introduction. Briefing Session on WTO. Welcome!. Very warm Welcome to Session Chairs, all Participants, Speakers & Guests. Please Check out Contents of the Dossier.
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WTO Regime and implications for Pakistan PILDAT Briefing Session for Parliamentarians Welcome Remarks & Introduction
Briefing Session on WTO Welcome! • Very warm Welcome to Session Chairs, all Participants, Speakers & Guests. • Please Check out Contents of the Dossier. • Briefing Paper on WTO included in Dossier • Please complete Feedback Form & Data Form and hand over to the Organizers. • Acknowledge Support of FES & SDPI
Today’s Session Briefing Session on WTO • Backdrop: 5th Ministerial Conference • Renewed recognition by IPU & WTO of the significance of Parliaments’ input. Do we? • Overview of WTO Regime: - Introduction & History - Implications for Pakistan • Preparing Pakistan for WTO • Role of Parliament in shaping Pakistan’s position at WTO
Briefing Session on WTO Objectives • Enhance awareness about WTO Regime • Help parliamentarians understand implications of WTO for effective legislative debate & oversight • Promote thought process for the future e.g. -A sub-committee on WTO Agreements? -Parliament to ratify the agreements?
Briefing Session on WTO Why discussion on WTO is important ? • WTO Agreements will impact our Agriculture, Industry, Exports and --- every one. • Extreme views about WTO: What is the truth? • Pakistan is signing important agreements under WTO. Parliament’s Oversight helpful. • Should draft agreements be analyzed & debated in Parliament before signing?
Briefing Session on WTO How can a parliamentarian contribute in shaping country position on WTO? • Knowledge of the background, process & nature of WTO Agreements • Knowledge of the implications for Pakistan Today’s Briefing is intended to provide this KNOWLEDGE !
Briefing Session on WTO Why PILDAT holds Briefing Sessions for the Parliament? • To see parliamentarians effective and powerful (Knowledge is power) • To see Parliament taking all major policy decisions (Supremacy of Parliament) • To see Democracy and Democratic Institutions strengthened in Pakistan
Briefing Session on WTO Who Funds PILDAT? • Seed money by Overseas Pakistanis • Pilot project funded by UNDP • Seek and accept support from all sources without any covert or overt strings (Pure PILDAT Agenda) • So far events are supported by UNDP, FNS, FES, DFID, The World Bank, IRI etc. • WTO Briefing Session supported by FES & Overseas Pakistanis.
Briefing Session on WTO What is PILDAT? • Independent, Non-profit, Research & Study institute • Indigenous entity well-versed in local conditions • Strictly Non-partisan: Values trust of all parties • Dedicated to Parliamentary Strengthening • Mission: Strengthening Democracy & Democratic Institutions for a better Pakistan
Some Recent Activities Briefing Session on WTO • Workshop on the Budget Process • Workshop for MNAs on Devolution • State of Democracy Report • 3-part Election Study • Young Parliamentarians Forum • Parliamentary Internship Programme • Workshop for Balochistan MPAs on roles of Federal, Provincial and Local governments
Briefing Session on WTO Near-future Activities • Orientation for Freshmen • Workshop for NWFP MPAs on roles and limits of Federal, Provincial and Local Govts. • Briefing on Pak-India Relations • Workshop on Public Policy Analysis • Briefing on Issues of Water Resources • Workshop on effective committee system
Briefing Session on WTO PILDAT Research & Needs Assessment • 1.5 Year-long Consultation with - Former & Current parliamentarians (238) -Political parties - National & International Political institutions - Opinion leaders - CSOs • Questionnaire, Legislators Data Forms • Needs Assessment Session, Dec. 2002 • Scientific Sample Survey of New MNAs • Legislative Strengthening Conference
Briefing Session on WTO PILDAT parliamentary Strengthening Plan: • Centre for Legislative Development & Leadership (CLDL) -Research -Briefings -Orientation -Capacity Building-Budget Analysis -Policy Analysis -Etc. • Examples: BIPS (Bangladesh), BPST (India), KPI (Thailand)
Briefing Session on WTO …….The Plan • Legislative Capacity Building Project 1.Plan & Establish the Centre 2.Sensitize Parliamentarians, CSOs, Voters 3.Strengthen Committee System 4.Capacity-building of Legislative Support Staff 5.Capacity-building of CSOs
6.Overseas Pakistani Legislators Network 7.Institutional Networking (Regional, International) 8.Strengthen Parliamentary Parties 9.Capacity-building of Parliamentarians - Issue-based Workshops - Briefing Papers & Sessions - Policy Analysis Sessions - Multi-party Caucuses - Etc. Briefing Session on WTO …….The Plan