11 Dec 2013

Solomons' trade minister welcomes WTO progress

12:33 pm on 11 December 2013

The Solomon Islands minister of foreign affairs and trade, Clay Forau, says decisions at last week's World Trade Organisation ministerial conference in Bali should lead to gains for Pacific countries.

The meeting concluded the trade facilitation agreement and agreed rules for better access for Least Developed Countries.

Mr Forau says it is important Pacific states are provided with adequate capacity building assistance to help them comply with the changes.

He says the LDC package, which comprises preferential rules of origin, services waivers and duty free quotas will enhance market access for both goods and services.

Three of the Pacific's WTO Members are LDCs and they will be direct beneficiaries of the package.

The non government organisation, the Pacific Network On Globalisation has rubbished the deal, saying it benefits the rich countries, allowing them to increase exports at the expense of the poor countries.