Protect special benefits for developing nations at WTO: Industry

These rules allow poor and developing nations to enjoy special provisions such as a longer time period to implement agreements and commitments, and clauses to safeguard their trade interests

A move by richer nations to deny developing countries access to special trade benefits should be stopped swiftly at the World Trade Organisation (WTO), industry bodies told the government as a crucial trade meet kicked off in New Delhi.

On Monday, the two-day WTO ministerial, industry bodies and exporters organisations have asked the government to push for India’s rights to the Special and Differential Treatment’ (S&DT) at WTO headquarters in Geneva.

“In view of the wide diversity in the level of development among WTO membership, there is need for sufficient flexibilities. Just to cite one specific instance, India still has