<center><b>MINUTES OF THE MEETING</b></center>
  <center><b>NC Meeting on WTO Trade & Investment</b></center>
  <p style='text-align:justify;'>The meeting started with the ASSOCHAM nodal officer's introductory remarks
  and elucidation of the objective of the meeting that is, to discuss the council
  plan of activities and issues being faced by industry stakeholders.</p>
  <p style='text-align:justify;'>Welcome Address by Chair - ASSOCHAM National Council on WTO Trade and
  Investment:</p>
  <p style='text-align:justify;'><p style='text-align:justify;'>&#9679; Highlighted Terrific impact created by the pandemic since the industry
  gone through the two pandemic (First and Second wave) one after the
  other</p>
  <p style='text-align:justify;'>&#9679; Disruptions like these creates adversities as well as opportunities, India
  Inc should diversify the supply chain</p>
  <p style='text-align:justify;'>&#9679; Emphasis should be on capitalisation of disruptions caused by the
  pandemic</p>
  <p style='text-align:justify;'>&#9679; Elucidate the share of in the Global Trade</p>
  <p style='text-align:justify;'>&#9679; Find out ways to support Govt as well as industry however there are
  issues of land, labour & Capital</p>
  <p style='text-align:justify;'>&#9679; To be competitive at global level, we should be competitive at Local
  Level as well</p>
  <p style='text-align:justify;'>&#9679; There is certain intervention made by the Government like PLI and
  Increase in certain tariffs.</p>
  Welcome Address by Co Chair - ASSOCHAM National Council on WTO Trade
  and Investment:</p>
  <p style='text-align:justify;'>&#9679; Highlighted Government efforts to promote local manufacturing and
  Import substitution, there should be clear vision for the export led
  growth. There are several initiatives which have been taken but more
  can be done to unleash the potential</p>
  <p style='text-align:justify;'>&#9679; Talked about the disabilities which have direct impact on the desirable
  investment. This is a one area where we can shape and lead the
  dialogue.</p>
  <p style='text-align:justify;'>&#9679; Despite several trade initiatives, there are several uncertainties and cost
  issues for the companies, which needs to be addressed.</p>
  <p style='text-align:justify;'>Key Suggestions from the Council members:</p>
  <p style='text-align:justify;'>&#9679; Need to freeze three items from the agenda so that deliberations and
  representation can be made with more focus</p>
  <p style='text-align:justify;'>&#9679; Inclusion of Cost of Doing business in the agenda</p>
  <p style='text-align:justify;'>&#9679; Formation of working group under the council to steer the agenda</p>
  <p style='text-align:justify;'>&#9679; Representation for RODTEP</p>
  <p style='text-align:justify;'>&#9679; Cautious approach w.r.t Signing FTAs with the countries by considering
  what provisions are we going to conceive.</p>
  <p style='text-align:justify;'>&#9679; Sharing of data with respect to the sectors so that assessment can be
  done for future representation. </p>