Date:22/01/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/01/22/stories/2005012200921500.htm

Back Plea to safeguard interests of SMEs in trade accords

Our Bureau

Kochi , Jan. 22

THE approach to liberalisation should provide special treatment to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and the current approach is not satisfactory enough, Mr James J. Nedumpara, Trade Officer of United Nations Commission for Trade and Development (Unctad) has said.

He said that the concerns of SMEs should be safeguarded in Regional Trade Agreements (RTA) negotiations. He was speaking on Globalisation Trade and Enterprise Development at a seminar organised here by Institute of Small Enterprises and Development.

Mr James said that RTA did provide the opportunity for SME's to explore new areas such as investment, services, labour market policies technical regulations and environmental standards.