According to Mr. Thabiso Molapo, Minister of Trade and Industry, the main trade policy priorities at present include regional integration and export competitiveness, trade in services, trade facilitation and trade and sustainable development.
At the event held in Maseru on Wednesday, he made the statement while presenting the World Trade Organization Chair at the National University of Lesotho.
Mr. Molapo expressed his gratitude to the National University of Lesotho for receiving the WTO chair and said he was pleased with the result, noting that he had previously supported the proposal.
He said that other ministries would greatly benefit from the establishment of this distinguished chair and pledged his ministry’s continued support during the tenure of the NUL Presidency.
He pointed out that the government of Lesotho, including the Ministry of Commerce and the private sector, will ultimately benefit from the research capacity of the university as they will have the knowledge to access policy formulation and research. ‘innovation.
According to WTO NUL Chair Assoc. Teacher. Motlamelle Kapa.
He said NUL is honored to have been given the trust to join the network as it is an outstanding program.
He pointed out that to be chosen, “we worked very hard, carefully choosing the relevant issues to include in our work programme, consulting with stakeholders for their input and support, and building a dedicated team that is equipped to advance research, curriculum development, and awareness of international trade in Lesotho.
The WTO NUL Chairs Programme, according to Associate Professor Kapa, has a highly skilled and committed team with a variety of expertise and capacity in trade facilitation under the WTO TFA. WTO, the relationship between trade and the environment, sustainable development and e-commerce law. .
The WTO Chairs program is a crucial part of the WTO’s technical assistance initiatives, according to WTO Deputy Director-General HE Xiangchen Zhang.
Since the WTO and the Chairs approach the same issues from different angles, he said, “The Chairs program network provides opportunities for reciprocal learning.”
He said that not only at the national level, but also at the regional and cross-regional levels, the involvement of WTO Chairs in collaborative projects and activities is having an effect.
He highlighted the need for more practical research and policy guidance for governments and other stakeholders, mentioning the importance of academic research for WTO negotiations.
He therefore praised NUL and gave them the green light to continue expanding their extensive network of working relationships with domestic and foreign research institutions within and outside their countries.
Speaking in his personal capacity, Mr. Fako Hakane, Secretary General of the Lesotho Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), said he was pleased that NUL had been appointed Chairman of the WTO and noted that in As president, they had a growth mandate that will benefit the private sector.
He said these capabilities should help LCCI become more productive, competitive and able to conduct a broader business.
Therefore, he said LCCI is looking forward to discussing capacity building for micro, small and medium enterprises in Lesotho, especially those owned by youth and women.
He pointed out that the Chair’s role included raising awareness and that only the government had had access to WTO knowledge through technical assistance programmes.
In order to increase the capacity of academic and research institutions in developing countries in the field of international trade, the Chairs program was launched in 2010.
It supports initiatives related to the three key pillars of outreach, curriculum development and research.
Out of 136 universities in the world, the Faculty of Law of the National University of Lesotho was chosen to hold the presidency of the WTO for a period of four years.
