Bangladesh yesterday called for consensus on issues to be tn (orporated in the declaration of the first ministerial conference of World Trade Organisation (WTO) in Singapore, reports UNB.

As Die trade ministers of 127 member countries continued thefi efforts to finalise the declaration. Commerce Minister Tofsel Ahmed said a consensus is needed so |hat pew conditions do hot cripple the economies of the least developed countries (LDCs).

"Understanding and cooper ation are also necessary to maintain the markets for products of developed and developing nations in the poor countries by increasing buying ca pacitv . he said, according to a message received in the city.

The minister stressed that there are international organi sations to deal with the new subjects that have been arising recently If these subjects are incorporated in the WTO it may turn into an international po lltical issue, he feared

On the third day of the five day meeting, the trade minis ters held talks on open trade of agricultural products public procurement, policy for Investment and competition, and labour standard.

These four issues are among the 20 issues to be Incorporated in the WTO declaration Sixteen issues were adopted In the off! clal level meeting in Geneva

According to the message, the difference of opinion between the countries narrowed down after three days of bilal eral. group and general discussions.