DOHA ROUND OF TRADE NEGOTIATIONS IN THE WORLD TRADE ORGANISATION
- The 2001 Ministerial Conference in Doha had mandated a comprehensive development agenda for multilateral trade negotiations. This Round of trade negotiations is still underway.
- In the backdrop of the global economic downturn of 2008 and the inability of the membership to reach consensus on the full Doha Development Agenda, it was decided at the Eighth Ministerial Conference in 2011 to focus on areas where convergence was possible.
- Accordingly, after deliberations in the WTO in 2013, it was agreed that WTO members would strive for an Agreement on Trade Facilitation, a few areas in agriculture, development issues and issues of relevance for LDCs.
NINTH MINISTERIAL MEETING OF THE WTO
- The Ninth Ministerial Conference of the WTO took place in Bali in December, 2013.
- Ministers issued a Declaration and 10 ministerial decisions were taken on various issues including Trade Facilitation, issues relating to agricultural trade rules and others relating to development, Least Developed Countries (LDCS).
- Amongst these Decisions, two ministerial decisions are of particular significance for India:
- The ministerial decision for an Agreement On Trade Facilitation
- The ministerial decision on Public Stockholding for Food Security Purposes.
- Trade Facilitation was brought into the agenda mainly by the developed countries.
- The issue of the rules relating to public stockholding for food security purposes was brought into the agenda of the Ninth Ministerial Conference through India’s efforts.
TRADE FACILITATION
- The Trade Facilitation Agreement, which was also endorsed by India at the Ninth Ministerial Conference, is basically aimed at greater transparency and simplification of customs procedures, use of electronic payments and risk management techniques and faster clearances at ports.
- As per the Ministerial Decision, a Preparatory Committee on Trade Facilitation (PCTF) has been constituted in the WTO to conduct a legal review of the Trade Facilitation Agreement, receive notifications of the Category A (i.e. binding) commitments and draw up a Protocol of Amendment to make the Agreement part of the WTO Agreement.
- As per the Ministerial Decision, the General Council was to meet no later than 31st July, 2014 to adopt the Protocol drawn up by the Preparatory Committee and to open the Protocol for acceptance until 31“ July, 2015.
