National
France 'flexible' on trade-labour linkage
By Sushma Ramachandran
NEW DELHI, DEC. 6. France is more `flexible' than the U.S. on the issue of linking trade to core labour standards. It is only keen for a dialogue to commence between the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) on this subject.
This was disclosed here by the visiting French Foreign Trade Minister, Mr. Francois Huwart who told The Hindu that the outcome of the Doha ministerial conference was `acceptable' to his country. Though he was not enthusiastic about the gains achieved by the European Union at Doha, he looked forward to the negotiations in the new work programme.
Regarding the sensitive issue of linking trade with labour standards, he noted that France unlike the U.S. did not seek sanctions against countries which do not maintain core labour standards. At the same time, it felt that a WTO-ILO dialogue on the issue would be a preferred option.
On the Commerce Minister, Mr. Murasoli Maran's criticism at the India Economic Summit over the lack of transparency in the WTO, he conceded that greater transparency is desirable in the multilateral context. Mr. Huwart who is accompanied on this visit by a 30- member high level business delegation stressed that the potential of bilateral trade and investment cooperation between the two countries has yet to be fully tapped. Considering the size of the two economies, the level of two way trade and investment was far lower than it should be, he pointed out.
The French Minister held meetings with several Cabinet Ministers, including Mr. Maran, the Urban Development Minister, Mr. Ananth Kumar, the IT Minister, Mr. Pramod Mahajan, the Information and Broadcasting Minister, Ms. Sushma Swaraj and the Coal and Mines Minister, Mr. Ram Vilas Paswan. He said the discussions were aimed at upgrading the level of economic cooperation between the two countries. Mr. Huwart said France is confident that the current global economic scenario which is witnessing a slowdown, will improve significantly in the second half of next year. In order to prepare for this upturn, he said it is seeking to impart momentum to the Indo-French economic partnership.
Asked about the impact of the September 11 terrorist attacks, he said this has had global repercussions but the stimulus for the current visit to India is largely from the economic slowdown in the U.S. and Japan.
On the reasons for the relatively low level of foreign investment flows from France compared to the greater interest in countries like China, he said ``India is a big country and it appears complex to investors in France. They have to come here to see the reality''. It was thus essential, he felt for potential investors to visit India to reassure themselves about the attractive economic climate in the country.
He was heartened to note that Indian exports to France had risen by 26 per cent in the last calendar year. The same extent of increase may not be possible this year, given the global recession and the impact of development after September 11. It was thus important, he stressed for both countries to work towards reducing trade barriers and improving market access.
Offers expertise
Mr. Huwart offered to India French expertise and assistance in modernising its water treatment plants, solid water disposal and management and mass rapid transport system in urban areas besides other urban infrastructure projects. The offer came during a meeting between Mr. Huwart, and the Union Minister for Urban Development, Mr. Ananth Kumar, on Wednesday.
Mr. Huwart referred to the close ties that existed between the two countries and the role played by the French companies in setting up various urban infrastructure projects including water management, water sanitation and metro rail in different cities including Delhi, Bangalore, Nagpur, Kolkata, Mumbai, Jaipur and Visakhapatnam.
Mr. Ananth Kumar told Mr. Huwart that France could help in providing expertise in four critical areas in satellite mapping of urban areas so as to identify and plan water networks, urban water supply system, urban transport and solid waste management.
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