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The failure of the Geneva
meeting of
the WTO in July notwithstanding, a fresh attempt might be made by
members this year to strike a deal on opening up markets in
industrial and agricultural goods as well as services.
Another mini-ministerial
meeting of
trade ministers from key countries could take place in September to
sort out the handful of issues which resulted in the collapse of the
Geneva meet. WTO director general Pascal Lamy - who retires early
next year - may get his last chance to push the Doha development
round towards conclusion before negotiations get into the pause mode
due to the US presidential elections to be held in October.
Lamy, who is visiting New
Delhi this
week to meet the Indian industry, also has important meetings lined
up with officials and ministers, as well as Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh. Government sources said the DG will try and understand how
much India is willing to move from its stated position on various
issues. He might then visit the US and the EU to urge them to work
towards closing a deal in agriculture and industrial goods.
"There might be another
mini-ministerial meeting in Geneva in September. It would aim at
concluding the deal which almost seemed within grasp in last month's
mini-ministerial meeting," an official said. The Geneva meeting
resulted in failure as the US and India (which was representing about
100 developing countries) could not agree on the special safeguards
to protect poor farmers against a surge in imports. (Source: The
Economic Times)
August 11, 2008
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