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LDCs to boycott WTO if beneficial decisions not implemented |
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February 9, 2001
Dhaka-- (UNB)–The least developed countries would stay out of the next round of WTO trade negotiations if its earlier decisions to be beneficial for the LDCs are not implemented properly. Commerce Minister Abdul Jalil briefed newsmen about the envisaged option of the LDCs here yesterday (Thursday). Bangladesh is a coordinator for the LDCs in the trade talks. “Some good decisions have been taken in the WTO, but were not materialised yet,” he told reporters at his office. Commerce Secretary Golam Rahman was present. He said as LDC leader, Bangladesh would respect the wishes of the underdeveloped countries before joining the WTO ministerial round scheduled for Qatar in November. The purpose in serving under developed countries was not achieved rather trade of the LDCs squeezed while increasing in the developed countries, the minister noted. “Ultimately developed countries are being benefited out of WTO…we can no more believe only the lip-service of the developed countries.” The developed nations, from whom the LDCs would be benefited, take decision in the green room of the WTO, Jalil said replying to a question. “The decisions are good, but the real setback is at the implementation stage.” He said if LDCs joined in the next round of WTO, they would not support new decisions unless previous ones were implemented properly. About Bangladesh’s duty-and quota-free market access to European Union, as EU agreed, the minister hoped to get it finally as it’s expected to be adopted in the next EC meeting. He said communicated with the EU trade ministers and received positive response from them. He also communicated with the EU trade commissioner, who assured implementation of the decision. The minister said USA deprived Bangladesh from its Trade Development Act 2000, enacted for 33 LDCs to facilitate their duty-and quota-free access, leaving out Bangladesh as a developing country. “It’s of course a credit for us. But the act divided the LDCs,” he said. Replying to another question, Jalil said the quota policy should be changed. The secretary of his ministry has been assigned to draft the policy taking views of the concerned. “The Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) will get no quota this year,” he told newsmen. |