Kenya, the host country of the WTO ministerial meeting, has emphasised on the importance of issues relevant to the developing countries, including India, such as agriculture and livelihood of poor farmers, Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said today.
She said that Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta has given a "powerful" opening of the 10th WTO ministerial conference.
The minister was commenting on the inaugural address of the Kenyan President.
"It was a very powerful opening. The Kenyan President spoke about the Doha Developmental Agenda and that this ministerial has to deliver," she told reporters here.
The President has clearly stated that agriculture issues are very important component of this developmental debate and as a result he expects this Ministerial to come out of outcomes which will be beneficial to all, she added.
"I feel very encouraged that he underlined the importance of the Doha developmental round, underlined the importance of agriculture, clearly stated that that is the best framework (Doha developmental framework) which can best deliver.
"So it was a very good beginning coming from the President of the host nation... As a host nation, it was very encouraging that on particular points that he mentioned, those which are close to our heart. It was a very big beginning," she said.
In his opening session, the Kenyan President said that African farmers cannot compete against heavily subsidised farmers in the developed countries and there is a need to address that and end those distortions.
India and several other developing countries too wants
the developed countries to reduce their farm subsidies and provide a tool, special safeguard mechanism (SSM), to protect poor farmers of the developing nations from sudden surge in imports or dip in global prices.
SSM is part of the Doha Round, which was started in 2001, but has not yet concluded due to huge differences between developing and developed countries on farmers issues.
India is insisting to conclude the round but the rich nations want to abandon that and start discussions on new issues like rules of investments and government procurement.
Speaking at the opening session, WTO Director General Roberto Azevedo said that the members should aim high to reach an agreement on the Doha round.
Earlier in the day, Sitharaman also held bilateral meetings with South African Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies, Australian Trade and Investment Minister Andrew Robb.
