17 July 2008

Trade Minister Departs for Critical WTO Ministerial Meeting

Minister for Trade, Simon Crean, departs today to participate in a critical meeting of Trade Ministers from around the world at the World Trade Organization (WTO) headquarters in Geneva, which starts from 19 July.

The meeting reflects growing political momentum internationally to conclude the Doha Round of world trade talks this year.  The aim of the meeting is to secure a breakthrough on the main parameters for the Round, in the core areas of agriculture, industrial goods and services.

“The Rudd Government has invested a huge amount of effort in getting the Round to this point”, Mr Crean said.

“Whenever we’ve had an input of political will in the Doha discussions – early this year in Davos, at the May Meeting of APEC Trade Ministers in Peru, and at the June Ministerial Meeting I hosted in the margins of the OECD MCM in Paris – we’ve been able to move the Round forward.

“This meeting is critical to the prospects of concluding the Round – if successful, it would break the back of the negotiations and would represent the most important breakthrough in the Round’s seven-year history.

“I’m realistic about the chances of agreement – but I will say we are as well-placed as we have been for some years to secure an agreement on these issues. 

“Doha will not end all trade barriers – but a successful Round will give a major boost to global trade reform in coming years and serve as a strong platform for further trade reform efforts at the regional and bilateral levels.”

“Australia stands to gain considerably from a Doha deal.  A successful conclusion to the Round would open up an array of new commercial opportunities for our exports, create new, higher paying and higher skilled jobs, and benefit consumers through downward pressure on prices.

 “I am pleased to be accompanied in Geneva by a delegation of senior Australian industry representatives – and I look forward to working closely with them to advance Australia’s interests in the discussions.

 “Australia will be pursuing an outcome that delivers substantial new market access opportunities in all the key areas – agriculture, industrial goods and services”, Mr Crean said.

Media Inquiries: Mr Crean's office 02 6277 7420 - Departmental Media Liaison 02 6261 1555