Consensus on three issues expected: Hong Kong moot
By Mubarak Zeb Khan
HONG KONG, Dec 17: The key negotiators from 150 countries will decide three thorny issues —- export subsidy, domestic subsidy and package for the least developed countries in the next 24 hours to close the Hong Kong Ministerial Conference with a direction to complete the Doha round by the end of 2006.
Briefing newsmen, WTO Spokesperson Keith Rockwell said that the consultative committee group (CCG) formerly known as ‘green house’ would go through the text ahead of bringing a possible final declaration by Sunday.
The spokesperson said although consensus could not be reached on many issues, both the developed as well as developing countries were at consensus on one major theme,— expression of disappointment on draft ministerial declaration particularly of having no modalities on NAMA and agriculture sector.
While official galleries were quiet, the civil society representatives, Korean farmers, and trade unionist were most active and their protests led to the closure of Wan Chai district of Hong Kong followed by the arrest of hundreds of protesters by the police and 41 (including 5 police officers) ended up in hospital.
Police turned fire hoses and pepper spray on hundreds of demonstrators who tried to break through barricades blocking their path to the convention centre. Protesters hurled photographers’ ladders and eggs at officers who tightened security around the venue on fears that violence would intensify.
Commerce Minister Humayun Akhtar Khan told a news conference that the WTO ministers reported modest headway in efforts to reduce trade barriers and enhance growth in poor countries.
Answering a question, Mr Khan said that the EU had agreed to eliminate the export subsidy within five years to be effective from the implementation period of the agreement. Which analysts believed would be by the year 2013 in case of reaching any agreement.
The minister said that Pakistan’s interest would be protected under the NAMA negotiations. “I can assure you that Pakistan’s interest would be protected in all areas particularly in the industrial sector”, the minister said.
He said that Pakistan being part of G-20 wanted ambitious cuts in tariffs, domestic support and end date for elimination of export subsidies. He said that greater cuts in farms products and industrial products were in the interest of Pakistan.
Mr Khan said that the development package which was under negotiation to be finalized by Sunday would also provide some preferential treatment to Pakistan. He said that the allowing of selection products for duty free and quota free access in developed countries would increase chances for Pakistan’s products like apparel and textile products.
The US Trade Representative Rob Portman in a press conference said, “I think we will end up with some progress on some important issues on the development side and then we will end up with some incremental progress on the core issues of the negotiations in (market access for industrial goods) and agriculture,”.
The EU Trade Commissioner in a reaction on the revised said “Europe believe there are problems with the draft text. It lacks balance and is not what we hoped for. We believe it can be improved and we will continue to negotiate. We are here to do business but our negotiating partners will have to engage and show flexibility. We expect to be put under pressure tonight on export subsidies. We will defend our interest.”
