India ranks 110 out of 149 nations on the SDG Index
The Dollar Business Bureau India has been ranked 110 out of 149 countries that have been assessed with regard to attaining the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDG Index highlighted, that almost all nations face key challenges when accomplishing the given ambitious goals. Sweden ranked first in the chart, followed by Denmark and Norway. Jeffrey Sachs, Director of SDSN, said, “The Sustainable Development Goals are stretch goals, but they are within reach if countries work towards them with clarity and determination. The SDG Index and Dashboard can help each country to chart out a practical path for achieving the goals.” The report also made a startling clarification that the nations which are quite close to achieving the SDGs are not large economies but small, ...
Reform process started in Doha in jeopardy: India tells WTO
The Dollar Business Bureau The process of agricultural trade reform started during the WTO conference at Doha in 2001 will be in jeopardy if members try to shift focus on new issues, Indian Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said at the 10th ministerial conference of the global body in Nairobi. “The reform process which was started after the Uruguay Round in the form of the Doha Round appears to be in jeopardy. Negotiations have spilled over into Nairobi, which makes matters very complicated. The manner and haste with which important negotiating meetings are being convened does not inspire confidence,” Sitharaman said. Negotiations on reducing export subsidies, domestic support and import duties on agricultural products were part of the Doha Development Agenda (DDA). ...
WTO meet starts; India, China press for Doha round conclusion
Source: PTI Trade ministers of as many as 47 countries, including India, China and several African nations on Tuesday asked the WTO members to “redouble” efforts to conclude pending issues of the long-stalled Doha Round. On the first day of the WTO ministerial meeting in Nairobi, the 47 nations in a joint statement said they recognise that a comprehensive conclusion of the Doha Developmental Agenda (DDA) with economically meaningful and balanced outcomes will provide impetus to global trade liberalisation and facilitation. It would also correct the development deficit in the rules resulting from the previous rounds of multilateral trade negotiations and improve the trading prospects of developing Members, and enhance the primary role of the WTO in global trade governance, the ...
Developing nations to be net gainers in trade facilitation agreement: WTO
The Dollar Business Bureau The implementation of the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) — a proposed deal which seeks to ease cross-border transactions — is likely to benefit developing nations significantly, World Trade Organisation (WTO) has said. In its world trade report released on October 26, the global body said the enforcement of TFA can increase global merchandise exports by up to $1 trillion per annum, with the developing nations capturing more than half of the available gain. “The TFA could help developing countries diversify their exports, increase their involvement in global value chains, expand the participation of small and medium enterprises in international trade, help to attract more foreign direct investment, increase government revenues and reduce corruption,” WTO said in a ...
Exports body hails extension of import duty benefit scheme in US
Himanshu Vatsa | The Dollar Business Indian exporters on Tuesday cheered the US government’s decision to extend its duty waiver scheme meant for certain category of imports from India and other developed countries. According to the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the Generalized System of Preference (GSP) programme has been reauthorised for another two and a half years beginning July 29, 2015. And US importers can claim refund against duties paid on products that are covered under the GSP. The scheme was launched in 1976 to promote growth in developing countries and encourage import of certain goods which are not produced in the US. As per the scheme, certain products are eligible for duty-free access to the US market if sourced ...
Trade Facilitation Agreement will reduce transaction costs: WTO Chief
The Dollar Business Bureau The Bali Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) will make the movement of goods across borders faster, easier and cheaper. It is estimated that this Agreement will reduce trade costs by up to 15% in developing countries. The above statement was made by World Trade Organisation (WTO) Director-General (DG) Roberto Azevêdo, at an information sharing session in Kuala Lumpur recently. Thanking Malaysia for agreeing to deposit its instrument of acceptance of the Trade Facilitation Agreement in the coming days, and hoping that Malaysia can help other members ratify the agreement as soon as possible, the DG urged Malaysia, as ASEAN chair, to continue to show leadership in advancing other WTO initiatives this year, including moving the Doha Development ...
