India apprehensive ahead of WTO ministerial meet

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New Delhi, April 21:: As the chances are improving for a meeting of the top policy making body of WTO next month, India expressed its apprehensions on proposals relating to cut in duties on industrial goods on Monday.

"Industry in India is particularly concerned about the reduction in tariff of the industrial goods. A lot of uncertainty is prevailing as to what the less than full reciprocity in reduction in tariff reduction commitments, which is part of the Doha mandate, would ultimately translate into," said Jayant Dasgupta, joint secretary, Ministry of Commerce.

This issue needs to be addressed in full measure and this lies at the core of the Doha round of negotiations to get to the world trade deal, he said.

The other issue is the use of flexibilities related to tariff on sensitive and other products, that are being imported, to be utilised by developing countries, he said.

These flexibilities in tariff reduction have been taken off the table, he added.

India has been opposing the setting up of an 'artificial deadlines' for conclusion of the Doha round of talks.

India has a comparative advantage in services like architecture, construction and healthcare but the limited access is hindering the growth in trade in these sectors, he said.

"We will like the offer to be made upfront and clear by our negotiating partners," he added.

"It is important to complete the Doha round but rules of the game should be clear. There should be a balance... ,defensive concerns (like agriculture subsidy and farmers' livelihood) that cannot be compromised have to be preserved. We are looking forward," Dasgupta added.

Among other concerns, the Joint Secretary said the instruments of anti-dumping has to be used carefully as it can lead to high duties, which can take away the market access.

The ministerial meeting, the highest policy making organ of the WTO, is expected in later part of May. It will follow the release of fresh draft texts on agriculture and industrial goods.

"The texts will be released by end of this month," WTO Deputy Director General Harsha V Singh said.

"After the texts are released, senior officials of all the negotiating countries will meet to narrow the differences and fix the modalities for the ministerial to take place. The trade ministers will then meet to narrow the final differences. It is expected in May end," he added.