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Media release
Australian Minister for Trade, Mark Vaile
Friday, 20 July 2001
Australia-Indonesia round-table on agriculture
A two-day round-table in Jakarta on agricultural liberalisation under the WTO for developing countries has had a successful first day according to Trade Minister Mark Vaile.
The round-table, a cooperative endeavour between Indonesia and Australia, brings together senior policymakers from Australia, Indonesia, India, Malaysia, New Zealand, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Thailand.
"The round-table comes at a critical time in the lead-up to the WTO Ministerial Conference in Qatar. It is highlighting the importance of agricultural liberalisation as a development issue," Mr Vaile said.
"The round-table Australia organised with Indonesia is working to identify the key interests and concerns of developing countries, so we can build an approach to agricultural reform which takes account of the special needs of developing countries.
"Rich countries give US$1 billion a day to their farmers. These subsidies, as well as hurting Australian farmers, cause enormous damage to farmers in the developing world. The lack of access to developed country markets has reduced farm incomes and increased poverty in developing countries.
"I very much welcome this joint effort with Indonesia. It builds on our cooperation through the Cairns Group of free and fair agricultural traders over 15 years, as well as through APEC and other groups," Mr Vaile said.
MVT99/2001
Local Date: Friday, 21-Nov-2008 00:42:56 EST