ISLAMABAD, Feb 26: The country’s export will suffer in case the Doha Round negotiations are not concluded this year, observes Pakistan Permanent Representative and Ambassador to WTO Dr Manzoor Ahmad.

He said if the round was not finished this year it might be extended for another two to three years and Pakistan would be end-loser as its products were facing high tariffs in rich countries particularly in the US and EU markets.

The envoy told a select gathering of civil society and journalists here on Tuesday that the seventh ministerial conference of 151 member states of the World Trade Organisation was expected to be convened between March 20 and April 15 to bridge the gap on some thorny issues.

This conference will serve as key barometer to gauge the progress of negotiations on the early conclusion of Doha Development agenda.

“The general impression in Geneva is to conclude the round in the current year which would give boost to Pakistan’s export,” Dr Manzoor added.

Answering a question, he said that after a statement from the French president recently the negotiations process in the areas of agriculture got slow down. However, he said, senior-level meeting would be started from the next week for seeking convergence in various areas.

Responding to queries of the civil society, the envoy advised for quality research and feedback on the issues of Pakistan’s interest. “We will welcome comments from civil society, which talks about national interests,” he said.

Dr Manzoor said Pakistan was looking for greater market access of textile and clothing sector under the current round of negotiations on industrial goods. He said the text on industrial goods also proposed immediate relief in duty for Pakistan and Sri Lanka on export of textile and clothing products in the rich countries market.

Asked as Pakistan had no domestic policy for industrialisation of non-textile products, he replied that currently the textile was the only potential sector for export for which the mission was seeking greater market access.

Answering another query he said that Pakistan could never be able to export auto parts or cars until there was a mark reduction in tariff protection to the local automobile industry.

Elaborating the recent development in the areas of agriculture, Dr Manzoor said the current round on agriculture would have no impact on farm producers. He said the farm producers would have a sufficient time for protection in case of early conclusion of the round.

He said the agriculture products were highly protected as the average bound tariff on agriculture products was 101 per cent. The duty cuts would be applied on these products, which according to him would give a marked protection to local producers.

Asked what would be an ideal position for Pakistan to get maximum market access, he said that gains were calculated in terms of the whole package at the conclusion of the round.

He said that unlike G-33, Pakistan was demanding lesser number of special products, which would also open South-South trade.