It is the first WTO mission in Nepal since the country was nominated as the coordinator for LDCs for WTO for the year 2013.
Toya Narayan Gyawali, joint secretary at the Ministry of Commerce and Supplies (MoCS) said the three-member mission will be in Nepal from January 15-18, when a national seminar will be held with different Nepali experts and ministry officials to chart out issues on seven different areas to be raised on behalf of the LDCs Group by Nepal.[break]
“An extensive discussion will be held on seven issues such as trade in service, trade facilitation, intellectual property, market access, farm issues and Aid For Trade (ATF) for LDCs so that we can set out a plan on how Nepal promote the interest of poor countries in global trade,” Gyawali told Republica on Tuesday.
LDCs associated with WTO have long been demanding for their greater role in the multilateral trade organization so that their trade interest could be safeguarded in global trade regime.
Limited market access, lack of capacity to safeguard intellectual property, increasing farm subsidy by developed countries are also the long standing concerns being raised by LDCs as the major roadblock weakening their influence in global trade. Even the AFT meant for LDCs has been found issued in infrastructure development rather than directly in the sector that support them to promote their foreign trade.
The 49-member LDC Group represents 34 nations from Africa, 14 including Nepal from Asia and one from the Latin America.
Gyawali also said issues, which are specific to enhance the interest and role of Nepal in international trade system, are also scheduled to be discussed during the four-day meeting.
During the meeting, Nepali participants will also discuss on Nepal´s role on behalf of LDCs at upcoming 9th Ministerial Meeting of WTO in Bali of Indonesia, Nepal´s vision and roadmaps as well as internal preparation for leadership of LDCs in WTO are among the major subjects for discussion with WTO officials.
After the meeting, Nepal will be able to regularly provide inputs to WTO on LDC issues.
“Our key line ministries will have to feed the information to WTO´s Nepal mission about LDCs´ interests in global trade on daily basis once the meeting finalizes their major trade issues,” added Gyawali.
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