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India for Saarc task forces on WTO issues

BS Economy Bureau

India on Tuesday mooted setting up of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation task forces on all major negotiations of the World Trade Organisation to frame a single stand for the fifth ministerial meeting to be held at Mexico in September 2003.

At the same time, it has expressed concern about the fact that the developed countries are reluctant to move faster on issues of interest to the developing countries.

Addressing a seminar on 'The World Trading System and South Asia', S N Menon, additional secretary in the ministry of commerce, said Saarc task forces should be set up on all major issues of negotiations and also on the Singapore issues.

"WTO is all about market access. Whereas the developed countries are making attempts to get greater access in developing and least-developed countries' markets, they are creating problems for the latter by raising procedural issues. Developing and least-developed countries, with a limited share in the world trade, can influence the decision-making process at WTO only through concerted efforts," he said.

The agenda for the next ministerial meeting to be held at Cancun in Mexico during September 10-14 was being shaped in Geneva, Menon said, adding that the way the programme was being pushed was disconcerting.

"On matters of interest to the developed world, like access in non-agricultural products and services market, environmental issues and the Singapore issues, there appears to be an urgency in pushing the agenda," he said, adding that on the contrary, on issues of interest to the developing countries there appeared to be an attempt to create diversions and to divide them.

The Singapore issues of investment, competition policy, trade facilitation and transparency in government procurement are of particular interest to the developing countries.

The Doha declaration is, however, clear on the fact that negotiations will commence after the fifth ministerial and will be based on a decision to be taken through explicit consensus.

The issue of transparency during negotiations, both at Geneva and at the next ministerial, still remained to be addressed, he said. In April, India and a number of other countries submitted a formal paper on the issue of transparency to the General Council of WTO.

However, this was countered by another paper submitted in June by Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Singapore and Switzerland, stating that maximum flexibility should be allowed in the process.

The developing countries wanted all negotiating texts and draft decisions to be introduced only in open-ended meetings, Menon said, adding that late night meetings and marathon negotiating sessions should be avoided.

"This is needed to ensure that last minute decisions are not forced on members without wide consultations and discussions," the additional secretary said.

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