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TWN
Info Service on WTO and Trade Issues (May09/08) WTO
approves waiver extension on treatment of LDC products Geneva, 13 May (Kanaga Raja) -- The WTO Council for Trade in Goods on Tuesday approved a 10-year extension to a WTO waiver allowing developing countries to provide preferential treatment to the products of least developed countries (LDCs) without being required to extend the same tariff treatment to other members. According to trade officials, the decision now goes to the General Council for adoption. According to trade officials, India, speaking on behalf of the sponsors of the proposal, said that "over the last few years developing countries have been finding means within their own developmental imperatives to meet the requirements of the LDCs and grant them meaningful concessions... given the right environment and enabling provisions, the developing countries can be encouraged to enhance their efforts." Also
at the Council meeting, According to trade officials, the paper proposed that the WTO take a coordinating role in overcoming economic difficulties encountered by developing countries in the post-quota period. On
the other hand, The
Chair, Ambassador Elin Ostebo Johansen of She urged interested delegations to meet among themselves to find a way forward. According to trade officials, the Council agreed to revert to this item at the next meeting, but that if the discussions remained inconclusive, this agenda item would be suspended. +
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