learning from wto september 2009 ministerial: is bangladesh preparing for wto december geneva...
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Learning from WTO September 2009 Ministerial:
Is Bangladesh Preparing for WTO December Geneva Ministerial
Rezaul Karim Chowdhury
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WTO Delhi Ministerial
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WTO Delhi Ministerial, 3-4 September 2009, as mentioned by host Indian Commerce Minister Ananda Sharma
Mini ministerial
Informal session
Microcosm of WTO
Representative forum of WTO membership
Participated by
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Representative of G 33, G 20, G 10, NAMA 11, LDC, SVE, CARICOM, AC, ACP, Cotton 4,
LDC is represented by Dr. Mary, Tanzanian Commerce Minister
Bangladesh has not invited as LDC leader - ??
Outcome
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Summary of the ministerial outcome 1
Recall G20 London, Bali (Carin), Paris (Trade Minister), L’Aquila, Singapore,
To get commitment to end Doha round by 2010,
Commitment to free, fair, equitable rule based international trade,
G20 and G33: emphasize the December 2008 text as the basis,
Cotton 4 : Hong Kong ministerial declaration for resolve the cotton issue,
Outcome
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Summary of the ministerial outcome 2
Africa Group : express development concern,
ACP : express concern for Banana issue, and for fair multilateral system,
CARICOM : on preference erosion modalities,
G10 : worry as spread of protectionism, demanding balance result in single undertaking,
LDC, delay costing than dearly, concern duty free quota free,
G20 Spokesperson Brazilian Minister Arome, start of endgame,
Next meeting in 14th September, to plan a road map for next 2-3 months,
Not much happened, all has reiterated their position, US and EU have come with no new concession.
Background
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What is the real background of the meeting?
India to satisfy US and Lamy wish. India’s new strategic relation in US and G20, ie, in MEF (Major Economic Forum).
To eliminate blame game toward India as it was one of the spoilers of past negotiation.
Drawing some tangible outcome prior to UNFCCC Copenhagen.
To subvert “Protectionism or Economic Sovereignty Decisions of Developing Countries” as learning out of global economic crisis.
Background
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Why Bangladesh has not invited
Bangladesh leading role in LDC is questionable
Geneva mission role is in low profile
So another one major demand “ movement of natural person / mode 4 “ has not raise at all, it is only DFQF but with low voice,
LDC leadership
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Bangladesh: Need to strengthen its LDC leadership and Geneva mission role
Bangladesh has strategic advantage but need to exploit this through diplomatic leadership among LDCs and in international forum
Geneva mission has to be equipped with dynamic leadership with analytical capacity.
Coordination between Commerce, Foreign ministry and civil society organizations.
Geneva mission should have strong link to capital with accountability toward political leadership.
Position must be discussed and approved in parliament.
Our position
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Revival of WTO Doha round means is
importing of global economic crisis.
So, we demand to restructure and reform in governance of global finance
and trade (WTO, World Bank and IMF) structure.
Our position
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Our position in agriculture
WTO must be out of agriculture
End subsidy in developed country, stop dumping of cheap agriculture products in developing countries,
TRIPS means giving control of bio diversity and life in corporate control, it will kill community ownership, will cost high health care cost, no to IPR regime,
No tariff reduction in importing agriculture product
Our position
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Our position in NAMA (non agriculture marker access)
No FDI in finance, banking, insurance, public service and retial business,
Duty free quota free market access for LDC products,
Free movement of natural person from LDCs,
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Aid for Trade (as declared in Hong Kong ministerial) and Development Agenda of Doha Round is not working. As developed countries not keeping their promises.
Need to strengthen supply side infrastructure of f trade in LDCs.
Global economic crisis is the result of developed countries and their failures with IFIs. But the bail out package is only for them, G20s and IFIs, very little for LDCs.
Double standard in bail out, e.g., Buy Americans.
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Free trade is free looter; stop this free looter of rich nations.
A world beyond WTO is possible