Manama, Jun. 18. (BNA) – Industry and Commerce Minister Dr. Hassan Abdulla Fakhro chaired here the third meeting of the National Committee of the World Trade Organisation, in the presence of its members representing governmental and private sides.

The Minister welcomed the members and commended their constructive efforts to consolidate Bahrain’s trade policies, highlight its fruitful achievements and achieve national interests.

The panel discussed a number of issues on its agenda, particularly those of the WTO’s Ministerial Conference, held in Bali, Indonesia on December 3-6, 2013.

It discussed a number of treaties and agreements, especially the Trade Facilitation Agreement, which has been crucial in boosting multi-lateral trade cooperation.

The results of the Review of the Bahrain’s Trade Policies, conducted in April 22-24 at the WTO’s headquarters in Geneva.

During the review, the WTO lauded Bahrain’s policies in various fields and economic openness and diversity.

The phases of the Bahrain Trade Capacity-building project, implemented in cooperation with the UN Development Programme (UNDP) were also spotlighted.

The panel also discussed establishing a Bahraini Committee for Trade Facilitation, in implementation of the Trade Facilitation Agreement, preparations to hold a national conference to implement the Trade Facilitation Agreement, publishing the positive results of the Third Review of Bahrain’s Trade Policies, and exploring enhancing production, investment and industrial complementarity between Bahrain and GCC countries and the USA through the GCC + GAFTA + USFTA agreements.

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BNA 1433 GMT 2014/06/18