The APEC leaders further expressed the hope that the upcoming WTO Ministerial Conference in Bali in December would be able to make some positive contribution to the future progress of the Doha Round Negotiations.
Nusa Dua, Bali province (ANTARA News) - Leaders of the APEC member economies reiterated their support for the continuation of the Doha Round negotiations, aimed at setting up a multilateral trading system.

"We recognize the importance of a strong multilateral trading system in safeguarding trade expansion that serves as a source of economic growth, job creation and sustainable development. We remain committed in this regard to continuing to strengthen the rules-based, transparent, non-discriminatory, open and inclusive multilateral trading system, as enshrined in the principles and values of the WTO," a leaders` statement released on the last day of the APEC Leaders Meeting stated.

The APEC leaders further expressed the hope that the upcoming WTO Ministerial Conference in Bali in December would be able to make some positive contribution to the future progress of the Doha Round Negotiations.

"We strongly encourage all WTO Members, particularly major players, to show their political will and necessary flexibilities in order to bridge existing gaps and deliver positive and balanced results at the upcoming ministerial meeting."

"With the APEC economies representing more than half of world`s GDP and 44 percent of world trade, we accept our responsibility and stand ready to make a significant contribution towards ensuring tangible outcomes by delivering an early harvest at MC9."

Bali will host the 9th WTO Ministerial Conference from December 3 to 6. Ministers are expected to agree on small packages of cooperation to support the continuation of the Doha Round talks, Indonesian Chief of Trade-Related Senior Officials Iman Pambagyo pointed out.

"Once WTO members agree on small packages of cooperation, it will build confidence and trust among them to resume the Doha Round negotiations, which were suspended in 2008," he added on the sidelines of the APEC Trade-Related Ministerial Meeting in Surabaya.

However, Pambagyo emphasized that the small packages agreement must be beneficial for both developed and developing countries.

"While developed countries are keen to have an agreement on the trade facilitation issue, the interests of developing countries, such as the implementation of duty-free and quota free conditions for the Least Developed Countries (LDC) package must also be addressed," he noted.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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