Stories

Agricultural training course for Pakistani trade advisors

4 April 2012
ITC News

A two day training course on “Trade in Agriculture: Challenges and Opportunities for Pakistan” started on 06 March 2012 at Pakistan Institute of Trade and Development (PITAD) under the European Union-funded Trade Related Technical Assistance (TRTA II) programme...

A two day training course on “Trade in Agriculture: Challenges and Opportunities for Pakistan” started on 06 March 2012 at Pakistan Institute of Trade and Development (PITAD) under the European Union-funded Trade Related Technical Assistance (TRTA II) programme.

The training course is jointly organized by the Pakistan Institute of Trade And Development (PITAD) and the ITC with technical support from the Switzerland-based World Trade Institute (WTI). The purpose of the training course is to develop the skills of federal government officers and researchers, implementing agencies, provincial departments and research organizations about the importance of trade in agriculture. In particular, the training focused on the domestic conditions affecting agriculture productivity, impact of liberalization on international trade in agriculture, food security, agriculture trade statistics, organic food, and genetically modified organisms (GMO), among other topics. 

Particular attention was given to investment related issues and multilateral negotiations in agriculture. The training provides an opportunity for the participants to identify the areas where they can contribute to the domestic regulatory reforms as well as bilateral and multilateral negotiations in the agriculture sector. Thirty five officers and researchers from various ministries, research organizations and provincial departments participated in the training course.

The training was delivered by a “master trainer” from the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), Mr. Nauman Aslam, and was supported by his mentor Dr. Christian Haeberli from WTI through video conferencing. Equipment was provided to PITAD under the TRTA II programme to webcast the training to provide a low-cost and easily accessible opportunity to the interested stakeholders.