Lack of progress in Doha talks not due to global crisis

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Namrata Kath Hazarika | 19 Jul, 2012
The lack of progress in Doha round of discussion is not due to the adverse economic or political conditions which the world is facing currently, said Harsha Vardhana Singh, Deputy Director General, World Trade Organization (WTO).

"There can be a situation at some point of time where larger bits can be free and definitely to the extent world economy picks up that may create a more political environment. But that is not the key factor for lack of agreement today," he said in the sidelines of a meeting organized by the Federation of India Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) in New Delhi on Wednesday.

He added that negotiators have realized that it is not possible for having the single undertaking agreement in Doha round currently.

"That is what the ministers are looking and to some extent it is because of the economic conditions. It is also a difference of opinion among certain main members about the extent of obligation with some other emerging economies should have. The emerging economies don’t agree or expect what others are expecting of them. And, that gap is very important," he pointed out.

He mentioned that it is important to see over the time how that gap is closed. Also, the negotiators can make these indifferent aspects of the Doha round coming in partial conclusions on certain issues.

"Good governance is the only way out to deal with these issues and WTO can provide the required platform. For instance, WTO allows all nations to have certainty by providing them with a level playing field and following a non-discrimination policy. It also has provisions to settle disputes arising between trading nations without giving undue advantage to any party concerned," he also said.

Furthermore, there is a fundamental transitional and conceptualization situation that has resulted in the current stalemate in the Doha Round of Trade Negotiation. There is a fundamental gap in the perception and understanding of the needs of developing and developed nations, Vardhana added.

He said, This lack of an appropriate balance, not just in WTO but in all other multilateral fora, is affecting the successful conclusion of multilateral agreements adversely.

Hence, in these uncertain times, WTO can act as a strong and relevant system and overcome the challenges facing the nations the world over, Vardhana added.