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WTO chief welcomes Doha draft texts

The head of the world trade organisation on Monday said draft texts released over the weekend formed a solid basis for ministerial talks next month but differences still had to be bridged.

''These texts form a solid basis for consideration by ministers at Doha,'' WTO director-general Mike Moore said in a statement.

''Differences have narrowed but there is still a lot of work for ministers to do. Development issues are at the centre of all considerations,'' he said.

Ministers from the 142 member countries are attending a November 9-13 meeting in Qatar in a bid to launch negotiations on liberalising global trade.

Previous rounds, with broad agendas aimed at boosting world economic growth and distributing the benefits fairly between members, are credited with encouraging half a century of rising prosperity.

Proponents -- mainly rich states -- say another round would be a major boost to the faltering international economy.

But many developing countries are sceptical of the value of a new round and fear it would impose fresh obligations on them their economies cannot yet absorb.

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