Singapore
At the end of July, SITPRO, together with the Commonwealth Business Council, held Roundtable discussions in Singapore on a trade facilitation agreement in the WTO. These talks aimed to add more substance to the discussions begun in Johannesburg in June (as reported in the last issue). Progress was made in increasing support for an agreement, with even the most sceptical attendees, with backgrounds in customs, trade policy and business, admitting that negotiations could start after Cancún. They agreed that it was preferable to consider the consequences (particularly for developing countries) than to adopt a 'head in the sand' attitude of denial.
The group discussed and agreed on a number of provisions that could be included in an agreement, and a paper was consequently distributed to all the participants prior to the WTO Ministerial Conference in Cancún. This was at the specific request of several developing countries including India. The members of the Boksburg group, named after the area in Johannesburg where the first meeting took place, are keen to consolidate their position, so they are well placed to make progress with trade facilitation whatever the impact of Cancún. We hope the Boksburg group will convene again early in 2004.
Return to SITPRO News: Issue 47, October/November 2003
