Tokio, Japón,
11 de octubre del 2012.- En la reunión del
Subcomité de Países Menos Adelantados celebrada el 10 de octubre de 2012,
muchos Miembros se mostraron esperanzados por un informe de la Secretaría de la
OMC que indica que en 2011 el valor de las exportaciones totales (mercancías y
servicios comerciales) de los PMA creció un 23,9 por ciento hasta alcanzar los
229.800 millones de dólares EE.UU. Sin embargo, coincidieron con Haití, el
Coordinador de los PMA en la OMC, en que “queda mucho por hacer”.
Among the findings of the Secretariat
report “Acceso a los mercados para los productos y servicios cuya exportación
reviste interés para los países menos adelantados” were:
Major product categories which contributed
to the 2011 expansion included fuels and mining products, as well as
agricultural products, which experienced price hikes. LDCs’ exports of
manufactured goods and commercial services expanded by 24.8 per cent and 15.6
per cent, respectively. Exports of fuels and mining products grew by 25 per
cent.
The LDC share in world trade (exports and
imports) increased from 1.09 per cent in 2010 to 1.12 per cent in 2011.
Thanks to the robust growth of commodities
exports, the trade balance in goods of the LDCs narrowed down considerably in
2011 — registering a deficit of US$3.3 billion as against $26.5 billion in
2009.
The last decade has witnessed a fundamental
change with regard to destination markets for goods originating from LDCs. At
the beginning of the decade, developed countries absorbed 53 per cent of LDC
export. By 2011, their share shrank to 41 per cent. On the other hand, LDCs’
exports to developing countries had expanded more than seven-fold to account
for 52 per cent of their total exports in 2011.
Haiti
welcomed the generally positive figures but stressed the need to also look at
the situation in the field, and there poverty and hunger remain challenges for
LDCs. He said the LDC share in world trade as not enough, and that a lot still
needs to be done.
Bangladesh
said the rise in LDC exports is encouraging but this is attributable mainly to
the rise in the prices of fuel and
mining products. It thanked the developed and developing countries that have
provided duty-free access to LDC products, and urged members that have not yet
done so to grant similar access to the LDCs.
Tanzania
said members need to exert more effort to help LDCs come out of poverty, and
urged improved market access for LDC products.
China said
it is encouraged by the positive progress of LDC trade and underlined their
increased trade with developing countries and LDCs. It said it had continued to
be the number one destination for LDC exports since 2008, adding that 98 per
cent LDC goods now enter China duty-free. However, it said LDCs remain
marginalized in world trade, and urged more support for them through Aid for
Trade and investment. It added that the conclusion of the Doha Round would also
help LDCs.
India also
noted the rise in LDC exports to developing countries, adding that it is the
second biggest developing country export destination for LDCs. It said the
share of LDCs in world trade remains abnormally low, and urged expanding Aid
for Trade for LDCs.
The
European Union said it is encouraged by the growing preferential treatment for
LDC exports. It welcomed the positive trends but deplored the fact that trade
participation of LDCs remains marginal. It said that a fifth of LDC exports
still face duties. It urged more Aid for Trade for LDCs.
The United
States said a highlight of the report is the growing South-South trade. It
welcomes further discussions on how the LDCs could meet challenges they face in
world trade.
Pakistan
expressed cautious optimism with the
improvement in LDC trade, in particular against the backdrop of economic
crisis. It urged further efforts to assist LDCs including through targeted Aid
for Trade.
Australia
said it is encouraged by the sustained trade progress of the LDCs, and urged
more market access and investment to LDCs. It noted that it had been applying
duty-free, quota-free treatment to LDC products since 2003.
Colombia
said that a great deal remains to be done for the LDCs, and suggested that
members start discussing deliverables for the LDCs at the Ninth Ministerial
Conference in Bali.
Turkey said
the considerable improvement in trade performance is still far from meeting the
needs of LDCs.
The Solomon
Islands welcomed the progress in LDC trade but said a lot remains to be done.
It called for more Aid for Trade assistance for LDCs.
The Chair,
Ambassador Steffen Smidt (Denmark), concluded that there had been an extremely
substantial debate on the Secretariat report. He said he would reflect on ways
by which Members could continue the discussion on the report.
On another
matter, the Secretariat of the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) reported on
its recent activities. It said that funding pledges have reached around $240
million. It is proceeding with the implementation of projects in many LDCs, and
that the EIF mid-term review is due to be completed in December 2012.
Haiti
underlined the need for progress in terms of more funding and in enlarging the
donor base. In this regard, it urged developing countries to participate in EIF
funding.
Australia
said the EIF plays an important institutional role in assisting LDCs. It
welcomed as positive developments the EIF approval of an increased number of
projects for LDCs.
The
European Union welcomed the EIF report, adding that it has great interest in
the results of the mid-term review.
The EIF is
a multi-donor programme, which helps LDCs play a more active role in the global
trading system. The programme has a wider goal of promoting economic growth and
sustainable development and helping to lift more people out of poverty. The
programme is currently helping 47 LDCs worldwide, supported by a multi-donor
trust fund with a funding target of US$ 250 million.
A
representative of the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF) made a
presentation to the Sub-Committee. He explained that the facility a global
partnership established by the FAO, the World Organization for Animal Health
(OIE), the World Bank, the WHO and the WTO. It is designed to help developing
countries enhance capacity to comply with international sanitary and
phytosanitary (SPS) measures. Since its inception, the STDF has devoted 47 per
cent of project resources to LDCs.
On another
agenda item, Haiti recalled the suggested changes of the LDC Group to update
the current WTO Work Programme for LDCs submitted in April this year.The chair
said that he would undertake informal consultations with a view to producing an
updated Work Programme by the end of 2012.
Under
“Other Business”, Haiti announced that the LDC delegations will hold a retreat
in the weekend of 20-21 October 2012 in Montreux, Switzerland to discuss, among
other things, LDC issues for the 9th Ministerial Conference in Bali.
Fuente: OMC