Gains from WTO substantial: Maran

By Sushma Ramachandran

NEW DELHI, NOV. 20. The Commerce and Industry Minister, Mr. Murasoli Maran, today said that rather than losing ground, India had achieved substantial gains at the Doha Ministerial conference of the World Trade Organisation. These were in the areas of implementation issues, TRIPs and public health, agriculture and industrial tariffs, services and geographical indications.

In an exclusive interview to The Hindu, he called upon stakeholders such as political parties, industry, agriculture and labour to unitedly forge a strategy for achieving long-term gains in the global trading system. As for concessions in textiles and environment, he said these would not have any adverse impact on the economy. Status quo had been maintained with respect to textiles exports while environment issues agreed upon would help protect Indian wildlife and prevent bio-piracy.

Mr. Maran, who became the focus of attention at Doha for his unrelenting opposition to the inclusion of the new ``Singapore'' issues - investment, competition, government procurement and trade facilitation - in the new work programme, said developing countries were now ``awakening'' to their power in the WTO. India had assumed the leadership of this group which was ultimately instrumental in signing the final declaration. But this was done by India only after changes were made to the text of the declaration. In this context, Mr. Maran called for the forging of a ``development coalition'' before the next conference, after two years.

On the criticism that India had caved in to agreeing to a new trade round, he said ``it is semantics. Only issues are important.'' No new issues were being taken up but any terminology could be used for the new WTO programme.

(Details under Business Section)

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