Geneva - The Indonesian Minister of Trade Gita Wirjawan, took the opportunity to hold a meeting with Japan, China, Jamaica, Nepal, Pakistan and also met the G33 group to discuss the advancement of negotiation process in the upcoming of the 9 MC WTO, which will be held this December in Bali.

The Trade Minister explained that the Doha Round, which began in 2001 and particularly advocated the interests of developing countries and least developed countries (LDCs), has been experiencing stagnation until today. This condition, He said, clearly disadvantages Indonesia, the chair of the G33 group, and members of the G20 chaired by Brazil.

The WTO members are currently discussing an agreement on a Bali package that consists of trade facilitation, negotiation points of the agricultural sector, and developmental issues
including the interests of LDCs. Several countries also discussed the expansion of the Information Technology Agreement (ITA) and multilateral targets in the service sector.

“The Bali package must be credible and enable trust toward the multilateral trade system under WTO; hence, prompting a strong political will to conclude the Doha Round after the MC9 in Bali,”  Gita Wirjawan added.

However, Indonesia reminded the WTO members that the primary target in Bali is an agreement package that consists of trade facilitation issues, elements of agriculture, and developmental issues. The package should mirror, however minor, the balance of interests between developed countries, developing countries and LDCs.

According to the Trade Minister, the negotiations in Geneva have not demonstrated a significant advancement, particularly in regards with the G33’s su ggestion about public stockholding for food security. The suggestion had resulted in several WTO members’ tactic to drag heels in other negotiation issues, especially in trade facilitation.

The Trade Minister said that Indonesia underlined the message that all countries show flexibility at the negotiating table so that the meeting in Bali can achieve its target.

"Indonesia has an interest to ensure that the multilateral trade system can be upheld and strengthened.
Under this WTO system, developing countries and LDCs has the same rights. The mechanism of dispute settlements at the WTO is one of the examples that all countries no matter how small can sue larger countries when considered in breach of their WTO commitments,"  the Trade Minister concluded.