ID :
32048
Tue, 11/25/2008 - 06:24
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/32048
The shortlink copeid
DOHA ROUND OBSTACLES BEING DISCUSSED IN GENEVA
Lima, Peru, Nov 23 (ANTARA) - Representatives from 26 members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) are now discussing in Geneva, Switzerland, obstacles facing trade liberalization, Indonesian trade minister Mari Elka Pangestu said here Sunday.
She said the four obstacles include the special protection of agricultural commodities, decreasing facilities especially for the developed countries, special products and sectoral issues.
The meeting was expected to complete negotiations of the four issues that world trade ministers could hold another WTO meeting next month.
"The WTO members have designated their senior officers to Geneva. The 26 countries including Indonesia met WTO's Director General Pascal Lamy to discuss things that should be performed so that the trade ministers will return to the WTO negotiation next month," she said.
Mari explained that the special protection was Indonesia's main concern as chairman of G33 or as a nation because by applying it, the country could charge an extra fee on imported products or limit large imports,or when prices plunged especially of agriculture products.
The meeting in Geneva was more convincing since all the delegations gained support from every head of state attending the APEC meeting in Lima, she said.
"Everyone agrees we have been instructed by the heads of state. We are really committed to it. However some matters at senior official level need to be submitted," she said.
Concerning Indonesia's attitude, Pangestu affirmed that it is a matter of getting the instrument to maintain the welfare of our farmers while not disturbing market access in such a way that as the developing countries have worried," she said.
The Indonesia delegates to the one-week meeting are Director General of International Trade Cooperation Gusman Bustami and Indonesian ambassador to the WTO R. Widodo.
She said the four obstacles include the special protection of agricultural commodities, decreasing facilities especially for the developed countries, special products and sectoral issues.
The meeting was expected to complete negotiations of the four issues that world trade ministers could hold another WTO meeting next month.
"The WTO members have designated their senior officers to Geneva. The 26 countries including Indonesia met WTO's Director General Pascal Lamy to discuss things that should be performed so that the trade ministers will return to the WTO negotiation next month," she said.
Mari explained that the special protection was Indonesia's main concern as chairman of G33 or as a nation because by applying it, the country could charge an extra fee on imported products or limit large imports,or when prices plunged especially of agriculture products.
The meeting in Geneva was more convincing since all the delegations gained support from every head of state attending the APEC meeting in Lima, she said.
"Everyone agrees we have been instructed by the heads of state. We are really committed to it. However some matters at senior official level need to be submitted," she said.
Concerning Indonesia's attitude, Pangestu affirmed that it is a matter of getting the instrument to maintain the welfare of our farmers while not disturbing market access in such a way that as the developing countries have worried," she said.
The Indonesia delegates to the one-week meeting are Director General of International Trade Cooperation Gusman Bustami and Indonesian ambassador to the WTO R. Widodo.
