Anand Sharma Meets China and EU for ‘Balanced Package’ at Bali

Holds Bilateral with Counterparts at WTO Bali Ministerial

Mr. Anand Sharma, Minister of Commerce and Industry, has categorically stated that outcome of the 9th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) is the collective responsibility of the entire WTO membership, and a fair, balanced result would be possible only if the genuine concerns of developing countries including India are satisfactorily addressed.

The Minister underlined this point at a series of bilateral meetings he had with several of his counterparts in Bali on 3 December – Mr. Bireme Abderahim, Minister of Trade of Chad; Mr. Mike Bimha, Minister of Trade of Zimbabwe ; Mr. Johann Schneider-Ammann, Head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER); Mr. Shanker Prasad Koirala, Minister of Finance, Industry and Commerce, and Supplies of Nepal; Mr. Karel de Gucht, Trade Commisioner of the European Union (EU); and Mr. Gao Hucheng, Minister of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China.

Mr. Sharma said ensuring food security for large populations was a common concern shared by developing countries including India and China as WTO rules in the area of agricultural support had become dated and did not take into account rising prices.

At a luncheon meeting with the India, Brazil, and South Africa (IBSA), the Minister reiterated India’s concerns, especially the issue of food security. Brazil and South Africa conveyed agreement with India’s position and wanted to know how best these could best be accommodated in the Bali package. Mr. Rob Davies, Minister of Trade and Industry of South Africa and Mr. Luiz Alberto F. Machado, Minister of External Relations of Brazil were participated in the meeting.