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Developed countries to phase
out subsidies on agriculture, exports
ISLAMABAD-The developed countries have agreed to gradually
phase out the subsidies, they are currently extending to
their agriculture and exports, during the 4th round of
WTO Ministerial Conference ended on November 13 in Doha.
This was stated by Minister for Commerce, Industries and
Production, Abdul Razak Dawood while briefing the newsmen
about the outcome of 4th round of WTO Ministerial Conference
at a press conference here Friday.
This development, he said, will lead to protect the interests
of developing countries, which were seriously concerned for
such kind of subsidies, hurting their farmers' community.
Secondly, he said, the developed countries have also agreed to
focus, during the next two years, on the issue of high tariff
for exports from developing countries.
The Commerce Minister said, other issues discussed during the
conference included implementation issues arisen, out of
Uruguay round of 1994, textiles, extension in TRIMS agreement
and developed world's standards on environment, labour etc.
Razak Dawood said, the developing countries are ready to give
extension in TRIMS agreement by 2003 but we are seeking
extension by 2005, adding, they have agreed to re-examine this
matter.
On the issue of trade and investment under WTO, the Minister
said, the developed countries had some stiff proposals,
adding, but we managed to dilute their proposals and it was
agreed that the modalities will be discussed during next two
years before
taking a decision at 5th round of WTO meeting in 2003.
Similarly, he said, the issues like investment, competition,
transparency in government procurement and trade facilitation
were discussed in detail during the conference.
The Minister said, on the issue of transparency in government
procurement the developed countries wanted the developing
countries to ensure equal opportunities for local as well as
foreign manufactures for bids in government tenders.
This issue, he said, was also left for discussion during the
next two years as we (the developing countries) want the right
of preferring domestic manufacturers in government tenders.
The Minister further informed that on the issue of trade and
environment, the western world really pushed hard and got a
lot, adding, they can force the developing countries to take
appropriate measures for improving environment like air
pollution, see pollution, river pollution etc.
In case of non-compliance on environment, he said, a country
will be able to approach the Trade Dispute Settlement Body, to
be created under the agreement on environment in WTO regime,
adding, however, a lot of work on this issue is to be done
during the
next two years.
The Minister informed that Pakistan raised the issue of debt
burden faced by the developing countries at the conference and
it was decided to form a working group, which will present its
report on the issue during 5th round of WTO Ministerial
Meeting.
Another issued raised by Pakistan, he said, was the transfer
of technology and it was agreed that this issue will be
discussed during the next two years and the General Council
will report to the 5th round of conference.
Similarly, the Minister said, the issue of anti-dumping law,
hurting our exports, was also raised and it was decided that
this issue will be re-examined in the next two years.
Razak Dawood termed the conference a balanced one and claimed
that we have got something out of it.
November 21, 2001
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