BD to seek duty-, quota-free market access to advanced economies at WTO met

Talha Bin Habib Bangladesh has finalised its draft text to be presented at the ministerial meeting of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) next month in Switzerland aiming to protect its trade interests, in tandem with those of other least developed countries (LDCs). "We have finalised our draft text for placing it before the WTO meeting to be held from December 15 to 17 in Geneva, Switzerland," a Director of WTO cell of the ministry of commerce (MoC) preferring anonymity told the FE Thursday. The official said that Bangladesh Commerce Minister Muhammad Faruk Khan would lead a 17-member delegation to the WTO ministerial-level meeting "Bangladesh will seek duty-free and quota-free market access to the developed countries, waiver relating to Trade-related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPs) like patent rights, aid for trade and movement of skilled manpower from the LDCs to the developed economies," the same official added. The source said that the country would also seek a special waiver concerning extension of time for enforcement of intellectual property rights and 'early harvest' (early implementation) of such a waiver in its service sector. Furthermore, Bangladesh will seek financial and technological support from the developed countries so that the LDCs could build and enhance their trade capacities. The source added that Bangladesh would also suggest ways for strengthening the WTO, considering the changing developments of the world economy. The Bangladesh Commerce Minister is expected to leave the country on December 13 for Geneva. He will address the ministerial meeting to protect the country's interest in areas of trade and also those of other LDCs as Bangladesh is the coordinator of the group. On the sidelines of the WTO ministerial meeting, there will be SAARC and LDCs' ministerial meetings in the morning and afternoon hours of December 14 respectively. The number of WTO member-countries is now 153. This number will be increased at the forthcoming ministerial meeting with the inclusion of three new countries -- Russia, Samoa and Vanuatu.