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• Removing trade constraints crucial for many developing countries, says DSG Smith

Removing trade constraints crucial for many developing countries, says DSG Smith

27 March 2007

Attention must be given to strengthening the negotiating capacity of developing countries

Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General Ransford Smith has stated that enhancing capacity for developing nations, and especially the least developed countries, to produce and supply their goods will help them expand their export base in international markets.

He was speaking at the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development’s expert meeting held in Geneva from 15 to 16 March 2007. The focus of the meeting was on the relationship between the multilateral trading system (MTS) and regional trade agreements (RTAs).

Mr Smith noted that the biggest challenge is how to ensure positive co-operation between RTAs and the MTS.

“Tapping the potential of regional trade integration, in both North-South and South-South contexts, is key to assuring development gains from trade for many developing countries and for ensuring complementarity between RTAs and the multilateral trading system,” he commented.

Mr Smith said that both the MTS and RTAs should be “development-plus in fostering economic, human and social development and poverty alleviation.”

He pointed out that for that to happen, special and differential treatment and development enhancing support in RTAs and in World Trade Organization Agreements should be a cross-cutting goal, and common to both processes.

“Development features may include reduction of tariff peaks by developed countries; less than full reciprocity; provision of adjustment support, technology transfer and technical assistance; facilitating of mobility of workers; and improved and responsive trade remedy rules,” he stated.

The Commonwealth Secretariat provides technical support to its developing member countries to enable them formulate, manage and implement trade negotiations that benefit their people.