Date:03/08/2004 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2004/08/03/stories/2004080302380400.htm

Back CII lauds WTO's Geneva deal

Our Bureau

New Delhi , Aug 2

THE Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has welcomed the `July Framework Agreement' of the World Trade Organisation signed in Geneva, terming it as a victory for the country's negotiating team led by the Commerce Minister, Mr Kamal Nath.

"CII is of the opinion that the Framework Agreement, which was signed late Saturday night in Geneva, will provide the much needed boost to the sagging Doha Development round of negotiations that were launched in 2001. The Doha Round, when completed is expected to lead to open markets for agriculture and industrial goods and services for all member countries of WTO," a chamber release said.

The CII said that the non-agricultural market access (NAMA), that forms part of the July package, provides a good basis for further negotiations on industrial goods at the WTO.