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Dhaka rejects Cancun draft

Letter sent to WTO urging it to protect LDCs' interest

Staff Correspondent
Bangladesh has rejected the draft declaration of the upcoming Cancun ministerial meeting, saying it did not reflect the interest of the least developed countries (LDCs).
Commerce Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury yesterday said Dhaka sent a message to the
general council of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) stating that Dhaka wanted to see the interest of the LDCs protected in the final draft.
Most nations of the world will participate in the Cancun meeting which is expected to bring about a new economic world order.
Many poor countries have already raised allegations that the
developed countries will try to reap maximum benefit sidelining the poorer nations through the order.
The fifth WTO ministerial meeting will open on September 10 in Cancun, Mexico, and the host country will chair the meet. Three vice-chairpersons have been nominated
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-- one from Europe, one from Asia which will be represented by Bangladesh and one from the rest of the world.
"Bangladesh will not sign any agreement at the meeting if it does not protect the interest of the LDCs, including Bangladesh," said Khosru, who is also the coordinator of the LDCs.
"Instead of signing a bad agreement, it is better not to have a deal," he quipped at a meeting on the 'WTO and the Cancun Ministerial Meet' with the members of the Economic Reporters' Forum (ERF) at the National Press Club in Dhaka.
The developed countries have to show that they want an equitable world order. The position of the LDCs, including the LDC leader Bangladesh, is a fair one, he observed.
"Bangladesh has received a draft, but is expecting a revised text of the meeting. The LDCs have to be very careful to maintain unity," he said.
Referring to the Dhaka Declaration of the LDCs in June, Khosru admitted that there were differences among the LDCs. "But after a long debate, we were able to reach a consensus. We have compromised with some countries on the cotton issue in which we had no
interest."
Asked whether Bangladesh is sending a weak delegation as a number of experts have been dropped from the list of the commerce ministry, Khosru said: "We have got inputs from all research institutions and have already taken a position for the Cancun meeting."
"It is not correct that the Bangladesh delegation has weakened. A person who does not belong to the government or is not a civil servant cannot participate in the negotiations."
Future development and improvement in the living standard of people depend on the outcome of the Cancun meeting, he said.
Bangladesh will mainly focus on the agenda that will help it increase the export of non-farm products.
Bangladesh is also pursuing the market access issue with China, India, Korea and US, Khosru said.
"Where we have already been provided with market access, but cannot enjoy the opportunity due to stringent rules of origin. We are trying to make them easier."
Farming is becoming a big business, the minister said, adding none except for farmers invested in the sector, but big enterprises are now coming up with funds and starting contractual farming.
Bangladeshi farmers will be able
to compete with others, he hoped. Citing the example of wheat, Khosru said: "Our farmers cannot compete with the price at which the US sells its product now."
About expanding Bangladesh's export market, he said those who are now getting appointments as commercial councilors in the missions abroad are being selected properly.
"Now we are not selecting our relatives to work as commercial councilors. They have to be qualified and perform better."
Shamsul Huq Zahid, president, and Shawkat Hossain Masum, general secretary, of the ERF also spoke.