|
|
Change Your Life! |
Commonwealth Trade Congress today in London |
|
News |
May 31, 2000
Dhaka, May 30 (UNB) – The trade congress of the Commonwealth countries began in London today to exchange views of the member countries for advancing the world trade and WTO processes and organisation with a view to arrive at a commonwealth approach.
Some 200 participants, including ministers, senior government officials, business leaders and academics of commonwealth countries are attending the two-day congress arranged by Commonwealth Business Council (CBC), according to an official message received here in the evening.
Industries Minister Tofael Ahmed left Dhaka Monday to attend the important trade dialogue after Seattle to restore the interest of Bangladesh along with similar other commonwealth members.
CBC is the forum to develop meaningful trade policy positions on behalf of commonwealth business. In line with the responsibility, CBC will submit the conclusions of this congress to the Commonwealth Heads of Government and the WTO. Commonwealth countries represent 40 per cent of the WTO membership and playing a beneficial role in the reform and rejuvenation of the WTO after last year’s setback.
With the aim of moving the WTO trade negotiations agenda forward in a pragmatic and meaningful way, two main issues are being discussed in the congress. The issues are advancing the world trade debate: Beyond Seattle and advancing the debate on WTO processes and organisation.
Tofail will be the speaker on the second issue, which will be held tomorrow (Wednesday). He is likely to focus on the means to ensure the participation of all members in the WTO processes and the benefits and impact of WTO rules for businesses and governments.
|