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Tanzania has said it supports a multilateral rules-based trading system that provides both protection and opportunities for World Trade Organization (WTO) members, especially the least developed, small and vulnerable at this important moment when the global economy continues to face uncertainties.
“We believe that WTO has a significant role to play in ensuring global sustainable development is attained,” said Dr Hashil Abdallah, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Industry and Trade during the 13th Ministerial Conference taking place in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates on Tuesday.
He added, “At this juncture, we have an opportunity to promote a multilateral trading system with the right trajectory by enhancing WTO efficacy to execute its mandate, starting with taking stock of the implementation of previous ministerial decisions,”
He said Tanzania WTO reform ensures the balanced interest of members with particular attention to support developing countries and Least Developing Countries) LDCs) to achieve the broad objective of inclusiveness and promoting sustainable development as enshrined in the Marrakesh Agreement establishing the trade organization.
He insisted that an acceptable reform outcome should be balanced and take into account the different needs of members according to their economic and development asymmetries.
Moreover, the reform should aim to rectify certain trade rules which somewhat contributed to the de-industrialization of some members.
On electronic commerce moratorium, he called upon WTO to continue with efforts of conducting the economic impact assessment of the moratorium, in collaboration with other institutions with relevant expertise on electronic commerce.
This will elucidate members’ understanding of issues relating to the existing digital divide and the current and future potential loss of revenues from customs duties suspension on electronic transmissions.
“However, we recognize the need for further discussion on the implications of the moratorium on developing and LDC member states and wish to insist on the consideration of incorporating the variable geometry before any further extension is provided,” he concluded.
source :Daily News
