Minister of Economy and Commerce H E Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim Al Thani addressing the WTO’s 11th Ministerial Conference in Buenos Aires, Argentina, yesterday.
The Minister of Economy and Commerce H E Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim Al Thani yesterday confirmed that Qatar will remain committed to all its bilateral and multilateral trade agreements to all its trading partners, including the siege countries which have violated Qatar’s as well as its other trading partners’ rights undermining the principles and regulations of the World Trade Organizations (WTO).
On the sidelines of the WTO’s 11th Ministerial Conference in Buenos Aires, Argentina, the Minister also met WTO Director General Roberto Azevedo and discussed with him the main topics on the agenda of the conference. The director general praised the effective role of Qatar’s delegation at the WTO. In addition, the Minister discussed the latest developments regarding the case filed against the siege countries at WTO’s Dispute Settlement Body (DSB), stressing the full commitment of Qatar to the rule of law in order to protect its rights in line with WTO principles and regulations.
While addressing at the WTO’s 11th Ministerial, the Minister reaffirmed Qatar’s full commitment to the rule of law to protect its rights in compliance with the WTO rules, in parallel with its commitment to successfully complete the remaining factors of the Doha Development Agenda within the framework of the principles of openness and universality advocated by the WTO, which allow members to discuss all matters relating to the multilateral trading system.
Sheikh Ahmed noted that Qatar has always advocated for the establishment of a comprehensive and multilateral trading system as trade is an integral part of Qatar’s history.
He also noted that the significant increase in protectionism, which is endorsed by many countries, is becoming a growing concern. He also emphasised that a number of studies show that 60 of the biggest economies in the world have endorsed more than 7,000 trade protectionism procedure since the beginning of the financial crisis, whereas the tariffs now are worth more than $400bn.
The Minister, who also chaired the Qatari delegation to the conference, said Qatar came to the forefront of countries facing the rising increase of protectionism procedure.
He referred to the achievements made by WTO to strengthen development and multilateral trade, especially with launching the Doha Development Agenda, which is one of its greatest achievements. The minister also referred to Qatar’s full commitment to successfully complete the agenda within the framework of the principles of openness and universality advocated by the WTO, which allow members to discuss all matters relating to the multilateral trading system.
Sheikh Ahmed said the DSB of WTO approved Qatar’s request to form a judiciary to look into its complaint against the UAE and the current dispute caused by the siege.
He highlighted the importance of completing the factors of the Doha Development Agenda, and called on expanding its framework to cover other topics such as SMEs, e-commerce and facilitating investment.
Minister of Economy and Commerce H E Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim Al Thani confirmed that discussion within the framework of the WTO would help to restore the balance required to complete the agenda.
About the procedure of facilitating investment, the Minister said that policies of stimulating investments are able to promote economic developments in countries and support its ability to export and integrate into global value chains and connect to the digital economy system.
He said that since Qatar is a member in Friends of Investment Facilitation for Development (FIFD), he encouraged holding organised discussions on the facilitation of investment in the WTO.
He also highlighted the significance of commerce, e-commerce, and international market access for progress of developing countries.
Qatar also submitted a joint proposal with Turkey to support the Syrian refugees. This proposal provides for the granting of customs exemptions to the products of Syrian refugees in case of exportation to the WTO member states.
Qatar also participated in the drafting of a joint statement by the Group of Friends of System, which stresses the importance of adherence to the global multilateral trading system, the role of trade in sustainable development as well as the importance of developing countries and least developed countries benefiting from the opportunities offered by the multilateral trading system.
Sheikh Ahmed participated in the ministerial working breakfast meeting organised by the Group of FIFD, on the sidelines of the Ministerial Conference.
During the meeting, the Minister reviewed the topics on the agenda of the ministerial conference and discussed ways of progress in facilitating investment. Also, views and proposals were exchanged during the meeting on best practices that could be utilised to facilitate investment measures to meet the needs of developing and least developed countries.
Steps were also identified to move forward in discussing ways to facilitate investment and to encourage more WTO members to join the initiative launched earlier by the group of FIFD, including the convening of more high-level regional forums, such as the Abuja Forum in Nigeria, as well as plans for an investment facilitation programme.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the participating ministers signed a joint statement that included a number of items on the importance of the proposals that were put forward and the role they will play in supporting the global economy and achieving the desired development and its suitability to the objectives of WTO.
These items included recognition of the dynamic relationship between investment, trade, and development within the global economy and the need for close international cooperation to create a more transparent and efficient environment for facilitating cross-border investment. The initiative also received the support of 66 WTO member states.
Members pledged to engage with developing and least developed WTO members’ countries by organising events and activities that stimulate investment.
The WTO’s FIFD had launched early this year its initiative to hold a series of unofficial talks on the facilitation of investment for development, allowing members to discuss the increasing association between trade and investment and exerted efforts to facilitate investment.
In light of this initiative, more than 80 WTO members participated in six informal discussions and three workshops, during which they exchanged views and experiences on the best adopted practices in the field of investment facilitation.
The Minister also held a bilateral meeting with Susana Malcorra, president of the WTO Ministerial Conference (who is a former Argentinean foreign minister) during which they exchanged views on the issues on the agenda of the conference.
In addition, Sheikh Ahmed met on the sidelines of the conference with a number of trade ministers participating in the ministerial conference. During these meetings, he discussed bilateral relations between Qatar and these countries and means of enhancing them.
He also coordinated positions regarding issues at the disposal of WTO and reviewed the violations that the siege countries made to their WTO obligations and the legal procedures undertaken by Qatar within the framework of WTO, besides the latest developments in this regard in the framework of coordination of positions before DSB.
The WTO Ministerial Conference brings together ministers of commerce of member states and is the highest WTO authority for decisions that are unanimously adopted. The meeting, which will conclude today in Buenos Aires. President of Argentina Mauricio Macri attended the opening ceremony along with presidents of Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay, and Azevedo.
