Interviews
Kamal Nath at Nikkei Future of Asia Conference
25 May '07
3 min read
While its professed objective is greater openness in all aspects of trade, in practice this objective is observed in a highly selective manner that reflects the predilections and concerns of developed countries.
Let me give just a few examples of this selective openness: National borders should matter less and less for merchandise trade and capital flows. But we are told – don't talk about technology flows and labour flows. Subsidies are bad for industrial sectors, but on agricultural subsidies, the only thing we hear is that we'll get back to you.
Tariffs should be transparent and ad valorem in the industrial sector. In agriculture, now, that's something else! The private interests of IPR holders are sacred; issues of public interest regarding intellectual property are of a second order. Talk of a Development Round remains largely rhetorical.
Issues of serious concern like cotton, ushering in fair and undistorted agricultural world trade, Duty Free Quota Free Treatment for LDC's, Implementation Issues, etc remain unresolved.
The fundamental principle of special & differential treatment for developing countries to address their concerns of policy space in the major areas of negotiations remains deadlocked. There is as yet, no recognition by some developed countries that the basic premise of a Development Round is primacy for the development needs of developing countries, and not market access for developed countries.
The unity amongst the developing countries has been our strength; it has withstood all pressures to undermine the development promise of the Doha Round.
"In our work ahead, I intend to continue working with my colleagues in order to create that balance of give-and-take across the Doha Work programme as a whole that will make winners of each of us."
Let me give just a few examples of this selective openness: National borders should matter less and less for merchandise trade and capital flows. But we are told – don't talk about technology flows and labour flows. Subsidies are bad for industrial sectors, but on agricultural subsidies, the only thing we hear is that we'll get back to you.
Tariffs should be transparent and ad valorem in the industrial sector. In agriculture, now, that's something else! The private interests of IPR holders are sacred; issues of public interest regarding intellectual property are of a second order. Talk of a Development Round remains largely rhetorical.
Issues of serious concern like cotton, ushering in fair and undistorted agricultural world trade, Duty Free Quota Free Treatment for LDC's, Implementation Issues, etc remain unresolved.
The fundamental principle of special & differential treatment for developing countries to address their concerns of policy space in the major areas of negotiations remains deadlocked. There is as yet, no recognition by some developed countries that the basic premise of a Development Round is primacy for the development needs of developing countries, and not market access for developed countries.
The unity amongst the developing countries has been our strength; it has withstood all pressures to undermine the development promise of the Doha Round.
"In our work ahead, I intend to continue working with my colleagues in order to create that balance of give-and-take across the Doha Work programme as a whole that will make winners of each of us."
Press Information Bureau Government of India
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