Archive - jun 2003 - Article

Several NGO representatives analysed what they called the 'myths' surrounding the proposed investment agreement in the WTO, and called for Ministers to decide against negotiating an agreement.

On modalities, members are split into two camps with developed and developing countries pushing for vastly different approaches.

Progress on market access has been highlighted as one of the principal negotiating objectives of the United States, along with agricultural reform.

'This Business Advisory Body process could worsen rather than improve the WTO's endemic problems with secrecy, internally or with civil society,' said Navarro.

European Trade Commissioner Mr. Pascal Lamy has insisted that the Singapore issues is part of the single undertaking agreed to at the WTO's Doha Ministerial Conference.

Many developing countries at the WGTI meeting also said they could not agree with the proposition that the clarification process in the WGTI is complete.

The US and the Cairns Group consider its proposed tariff reductions too shallow while the European Union and Japan see them as to deep.

The Bush Administration has touted the action as the salvation of starving people and a defense of U.S. farmers.

The TRIPS Council meeting on June 4-6, in its last formal session before the Cancun Ministerial Conference in September, did not make progress towards agreement on a solution for the Paragraph 6 problem.

Under the service negotiations, India has already made its offer to 62 countries, of which 25 have responded including the United States and European Union, the sources said.