Archive - Feb 2005

Developing countries would benefit substantially if they cut their own trade barriers and farm subsidies, Agence France Presse reports IMF Director General Rodrigo Rato said Wednesday.

'it has to be cosidered in the context in debt sustainability, lasting povety reductiontion and sustainedined growth'- RATO

Developing countries led by Brazil, China, India, and Mexico have complained that the Mode 4 offers put forward in the services negotiations to date are insufficient and must be improved.

'Developing countries must therefore also take steps to remove their own trade barriers' -RATO

The United States is unlikely to propose any new, significant initiatives on 'Mode 4' in its revised offer.

The United States is unlikely to propose any new, significant initiatives on 'Mode 4' in its revised offer.

ActionAid is launching an African Commission for Britain, an alternative set of recommendations to those being discussed by presidents, prime ministers and high level opinion formers.

Negotiations on agriculture took place at the WTO in the week of 7-11 February.

Brazil - along with Colombia, the Dominican Republic and the Philippines - said each member has the right to define, in particular, the kind of universal service obligation it wishes to maintain.

A group of developing countries led by Brazil yesterday sought substantial changes in the General Agreement on Trade in Services architecture on domestic regulation.