WTO director keen to conclude Doha talks

World Trade Organisation Director -General Pascal Lamy

World Trade Organisation director general, Pascal Lamy, is keen to conclude the Doha round of talks by the end of this year. He says lesser developed countries are better placed to negotiate with their richer counterparts compared to the GATT round of talks in the 1990s.

Lamy was involved in a recent discussion with lesser developed countries in Maseru, Lesotho, for talks ahead of the proposed next ministerial round of Doha talks in March or April in Geneva. The Doha round of talks which began in 2001 appears to be back on again.

Over 150 member countries are gearing up for the next ministerial meeting in March or April. The meeting should fine tune the details of a possible global trade deal which aims to alleviate poverty for poorer nations, while boosting trade for the benefit of all.

Often referred to as a development round of talks, richer and poorer nations have so far failed to meet half way in terms of slashing certain tariffs and subsidies. Less developed countries are fighting for the US and the EU to reduce their agricultural subsidies, while developed countries seek full access to other countries' service markets. But less developed nations have come a long way in terms of their bargaining power.

Lamy agrees that a growth agenda for less developed economies may be difficult to balance against environmental concerns, although this does not fall within the ambit of the WTO. Despite a number of challenges, Lamy says a global trade agreement will benefit all. The Uruguay round of talks took some eight years, so there may be hope yet for the successful conclusion of the Doha talks.