National Trade & Transport Facilitation Committee

In 1998 Ministry of Commerce, Government of Pakistan decided to constitute a Standing Committee with the name of National Trade and Transport Facilitation Committee (NTTFC), under the chairmanship of Secretary/Additional Secretary Commerce. This was achieved through the resolution No.1(8)/94-ITO/UNCTAD, dated 14 July 1998 notified in the official Gazette of the Government of Pakistan. This resolution was subsequently amended a number of times. The latest resolution in force is dated 18th May, 2010.

Terms of Reference

1. Continuous review of the trade and transport procedures and systems with a view to update their simplification and harmonization.
2. Undertake coordination of efforts of concerned organizations in the field of facilitation of international trade and transport.
3. Collect and disseminate information on international trade and transport formalities, procedures, documentation and related matters.
4. Pursue the simplification and alignment of trade and transport documents on the basis of the United Nations Layout Key, including documents designed for use in computer and other automated systems.
5. Promote the adoption of the standard trade and transport terminology and international codes for trade and transport information.
6. Promote training and research in international trade and transport and upgrade common knowledge of the trade and prevailing international practices.

Objectives

The globalization of business and markets is making it essential for all the countries to conduct their international trade according to internationally agreed norms and standards. Trading based on outmoded and procedures and documents results in higher costs, longer lead times and lower profits. Pakistan needs to adopt international best practices to remain competitive. One objective of the NTTFC is to encourage and support coordination among the various Government agencies and commercial enterprises that participate in international trade transactions to achieve adoption of best international practices.

Another objective of the Committee is to create a competent cross-sectoral secretariat where trade and transport related problems that may influence more than two parties can be analyzed, and practical solutions developed for consideration by the NTTFC members. NTTFC will also assist in updating Pakistan’s legal and institutional environment for trade and transport.