WTO proposal will open up agri export market. Africa stands to gain

ALAN PEAT IF THE latest recommendation from the World Trade Organisation (WTO) is accepted, all forms of farm export subsidies will be eliminated, and African countries’ agricultural exports would again stand a competitive chance in the world’s biggest markets. WTO director-general, Supachai Panitchpakdi, has appealed to the organisation’s member governments to try to strike a deal on the new accord in the Doha Development Agenda - particularly aimed at the enormous agricultural subsidies granted by the giant US and European Union (EU) authorities. As this new draft text released in the third week of July will pave the way for the elimination of all forms of farm export subsidies, it will enhance trade opportunities for all countries, according to international trade specialists, Deloitte. It will also “insert more equitable rules” for global trade, they added. “We recommend that business leaders review this text,” said Deloitte, “to understand how these issues could impact on their businesses.”