Don't give up on trade talks, minister says

Countries should stick with the Doha Round of trade talks and make efforts to complete its agenda, China's minister of commerce said during a key World Trade Organization meeting in Nairobi.

The Doha Round aims to achieve major reforms in the international trading system through the introduction of lower trade barriers and revised rules.

However, talks have stalled for 14 years, leading to questions over whether an agreement will ever be reached. Some negotiators have suggested scrapping the talks.

However, China does not agree with this opinion, according to Gao Hucheng, the commerce minister.

Speaking on the second day of the 10th WTO Ministerial Conference, from Dec 15 to 18, he insisted: "You cannot say the Doha Round hasn't had any achievements. It just hasn't been finished as soon as expected."

One of the achievements, he says, is the Bali Package, which resulted from the ninth WTO Ministerial Conference, held on the Indonesian island in 2013. The package includes provisions for lowering import tariffs and agricultural subsidies, which are intended to make it easier for developing countries to trade with the developed world.

"Based on what we've achieved in the Doha Round, we are not lacking in methods to cope with the challenges and difficulties, but (lacking in) courage, confidence and will," he says.

A fundamental objective of the Doha Round is to improve the trading prospects of developing countries.

"The issue of development, like 14 years ago, is an issue for both developing and developed countries. It's a main reason for poverty and regional instability," Gao says.

"We should enhance our confidence and have strong political will to promote the Doha Round to finish its agenda, instead of giving up because of challenges and difficulties. If we give up, where do we start?"

houliqiang@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily Africa Weekly 12/18/2015 page19)