The New Nation - Internet Edition

THE Doha round talks of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) began on Monday in Geneva with a view to making a breakthrough in the many times stalled trade negotiations. The Ministerial Conference of the WTO held in Doha in 2001 was marked by a core concern that the multilateral trading system should benefit the developing countries. The Doha declaration had pledged to enable these countries get a legitimate share of the world trade through two key routes: improving access to developed country markets through reduction of import tariffs that distort market competitiveness and withdrawing domestic and export subsidies.

But the developed nations, against the spirit of globalisation, have so far proved unwilling to open up their agricultural markets that the LDCs are in dire need of. The developed countries pressurise developing countries to withdraw subsidies and slash tariff barriers while they maintain the same against LDCs. The Doha round thus missed repeated deadlines to reach a consensus. Stubborn refusal to cut farm subsidies by the US and reluctance of Japan and European nations to lower tariff on farm products from developing countries still stand as stumbling blocks on the way to a successful conclusion. Though US claimed to be committed to the outcome of this round, Washington made it conditional to the role of major emerging economies like Brazil, China and India.

If the Doha round fails to come up with a positive outcome, the impact on the developing countries like Bangladesh will be perilous. The world cannot afford to risk years of further delay for a settlement. World Bank chief has observed that it had never been more important for WTO members to move forward on the Doha development agenda. All stakeholders must be sincere to make the round a success.