Commerce Ministry to discuss issues related to WTO agenda
The Dollar Business Bureau Senior officials of the Ministry of Commerce will discuss and deliberate upon several major issues with regards to World Trade Organisation (WTO) in New Delhi this week. Indian officials posted at the WTO headquarter in Geneva (Switzerland), including JS Deepak - Permanent Representative of India to WTO, will take part in the deliberations, according to an official. The key issues that would be discussed include the matters related to the upcoming WTO ministerial conference in December in Argentina, subsidies on fisheries and permanent resolution on government’s stock-holding of foodgrains for the purpose of food security. The WTO ministerial conference is the topmost body for decision making. The issue pertaining to food security concerns various developing countries which offer foodgrain at subsidised ...
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 grapples with growing challenges as it turns 20
Bidhu Bhushan Palo | The Dollar Business “We are living off the liberalisation and reforms of the past.” - Roberto Azevêdo, DG, WTO, had said in 2014. (Pic. source - WTO) Despite the slowdown in global trade and growing importance of regional agreements (and disagreements) seen in 2014, optimism seems to be back at the World Trade Organisation (WTO). As it turned 20 on January 1, 2015, Roberto Azevêdo, Director-General, WTO, said, “20 years ago, on 1 January 1995, the WTO opened its doors for business. Our organisation has evolved since 1995. We have welcomed 33 new members, ranging from some of world’s largest economies to some of the least developed. Today our 160 members account for approximately 98% ...
