From 27 to 29 May 2025, the World Customs Organization (WCO), in collaboration with the World Trade Organization (WTO), Ministry of Commerce, Government of Pakistan conducted a National Technical Assistance workshop on the WTO Agreement on Rules of Origin in Islamabad, Pakistan. This activity was funded by the Customs Cooperation Fund of China (CCF/China).

The Workshop aimed to strengthen the capacity of government officials in Pakistan by providing in-depth training on rules of origin under Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), including a dedicated session on advance rulings. A total of 57 participants attended the workshop, representing the Ministry of Commerce, the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), the National Tariff Commission, the Federal Board of Revenue, the Engineering Development Board, and the Intellectual Property Organization (IPO) of Pakistan.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Nasir Hamid, Additional Secretary for Trade Diplomacy at the Ministry of Commerce, expressed his appreciation to the WCO and the WTO for organizing the workshop. He underscored Pakistan’s active engagement in negotiating and reviewing various bilateral trade agreements, where preferential rules of origin play a critical role. Emphasizing their importance in maximizing the benefits of such agreements, he noted that the Government of Pakistan has made capacity building in this area a priority.

Mr. Hamid emphasized that the workshop addressed critical topics, including the economic impact of rules of origin, their relevance amid evolving geopolitical trade dynamics, and their particular significance for developing and least developed countries (LDCs). He stressed the importance of equipping officials with the necessary tools and knowledge to navigate this complex area of international trade. 

The workshop addressed various aspects of rules of origin in international trade, covering both preferential and non-preferential rules of origin and offering insights into their impact on trade, business, and investment decisions. It featured sessions on the WTO Agreement on Rules of Origin, the role of the WTO Committee on Rules of Origin (CRO) and the WCO Technical Committee on Rules of Origin (TCRO). A combination of theoretical modules and practical exercises enriched participants’ understanding and encouraged interactive learning. Key implementation areas, such as origin certification, origin verification, origin irregularities and the utilization of trade preferences, were also explored. A dedicated session on advance rulings on origin provided further guidance on how they can support predictability and compliance for both traders and Customs.

Participants shared their experiences with the national implementation of Rules of Origin under various FTAs and discussed the associated challenges. The interactive format encouraged peer learning through case studies and practical scenarios, effectively bridging theoretical concepts with real-world applications.

In his closing remarks, Mr. Jawad Paul, Federal Secretary at the Ministry of Commerce, expressed sincere gratitude to the WCO and WTO for their continued support to developing member states.  He emphasized the strategic importance of Pakistan’s active participation in free trade agreements and highlighted the critical role of preferential rules of origin in facilitating trade while safeguarding agreements from misuse by third-country products.

Mr. Paul proposed that relevant Pakistani agencies identify resource needs and develop an action plan to raise awareness among exporters on how to capitalize on the trade opportunities created by FTAs and market access initiatives. He also reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to continuing its collaboration with the WCO and WTO in this area.

For more information, please contact: ori@wcoomd.org