Lamy draft on NAMA favours developed nations, says govt

World Trade Organisation member countries are expected to consider and approve the modifications to the draft ministerial declaration text at the next general council meeting later this week. India's response to the draft text released by WTO Director-General Pascal Lamy has been guarded, so far.

Senior government officials said while the text on agriculture was by and large as per expectations, barring the portions related to special and differential treatment, the text on non-agricultural market access (NAMA) was heavily skewed in favour of developed countries like the US and the European Union (EU).

Officials pointed out that the portion of the text pertaining to agriculture stated that there was significant disagreement among member countries regarding higher thresholds for select products for developing countries under "special and differential treatment".

"However, there is no divergence as all countries barring the US are agreeable to allowing higher threshold," an official said.

Similarly, the text pertaining to non-agricultural market access does not fully recognise the concept of less than full reciprocity.

The officials said India would present its views on the draft text at the next trade negotiations committee meeting on Wednesday in Geneva. Modifications to the draft text are expected to be approved at the general council meeting slated for December 1.

Meanwhile, with less than two weeks to go for the Hong Kong Ministerial, Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath has scheduled a meeting with all political parties and trade unions. A meeting with political parties is scheduled for November 5 while a meeting with trade unions is slated for November 6.

AT ODDS
Text on the non-agricultural market access is heavily skewed in favour of developed countries like the US and the European Union

No divergence regarding higher thresholds for select products as all countries barring the US are agreeable to allowing higher threshold