Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal emphasised that WTO discussions must address the asymmetries stemming from the Uruguay Round, underlining the need for all members to have a fair opportunity to build productive capacity, create employment, and participate meaningfully in global trade.
The minister said that the multilateral trading system must ensure that innovation, development, and opportunity are shared equitably among members. He also reaffirmed India’s commitment to engage constructively to ensure that the WTO remains central to global trade.
Goyal, who is attending the 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) in Yaoundé, Cameroon, also met several global leaders on the sidelines of the event, including US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.
“Exchanged views on the WTOMC14 agenda, next steps in the India-US BTA negotiations, and explored ways to further deepen our economic cooperation and bilateral trade ties,” Goyal said about his meeting with Greer.
He also met Canada’s Minister of International Trade, Maninder Sidhu, where they reviewed progress on the recently launched India-Canada CEPA negotiations and explored ways to further strengthen bilateral trade and economic cooperation.
During his meeting with Todd McClay, New Zealand’s Minister for Trade and Investment, the leaders exchanged views on the progress of the MC14 agenda and reviewed ongoing work towards signing the recently concluded India-New Zealand FTA.
“Also discussed avenues to further enhance bilateral trade and investment while strengthening cooperation across key sectors of mutual interest,” Goyal said.
He also met Omar Hejira, Secretary of State to the Minister of Industry and Trade in charge of Foreign Trade, Kingdom of Morocco, and reaffirmed “our historical partnership while exploring ways to further strengthen bilateral trade and investment cooperation.”
Goyal also met Dwight Fitzgerald Bramble, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, Foreign Investment and Diaspora Affairs of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Kamina Johnson Smith, Senator and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Jamaica.
(IANS)
