"Any small agreement, or an ultra small package will have a positive impact on the developing countries which now are experiencing a slowdown in market growth," Indonesian Trade Minister Thomas Lembong said in a statement received by ANTARA here on Monday.
He said some form of agreement has become necessary, considering the big gap between the developing countries and the least developed countries (LDCs) vis-�-vis the developed countries as all sides work towards seeking an outcome at the ministerial conference in Nairobi or deciding the future of the 14 year old Doha Round.
The WTO members are expected to be realistic and flexible to produce a beneficial agreement in Nairobi. If the Nairobi meeting does not produce any agreement, it would not have a good impact on the efforts to boost the world economic situation.
He said that the multilateral trading system, open and oriented to development, needs to try a different approach through programs and activities that essentially involve sharing of experience of success or failure.
The approach will encourage all WTO members to take advantage from the multilateral trading system which is more reliant on collaborative spirit.
The WTO is the only global institution that governs the multilateral trading system, and it should be able to accommodate the diverse interests of its member states as well as respond to the global challenges.
According to Lembong, it is time for Indonesia to build a positive profile and make an impact in certain potential areas.
"(Indonesia should do so,) particularly in developing market access, investment base, the source of raw materials, capital, technology and building partnerships in global and regional levels," he said.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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