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Kenya calls for trade deals beneficial for the poor

Xinhua, December 16, 2015 Adjust font size:

Kenya on Wednesday urged members of the 10th World Trade Organization (WTO) meeting in Nairobi to make strong commitments by adopting a package of trade deals that would benefit the poor countries and help spur economic growth.

Deputy President William Ruto said the ongoing WTO Ministerial Conference should result in a new environment where there is fairness in trade among all nations, noting that there should be a win-win situation as far as issues of trade are concerned.

"The meeting should hammer an agreement to give all countries a chance to participate in trade in a fair manner," Ruto said when he held separate talks with Turkey Economic Minister Mustafa Elitas, Portugal Economy Minister Manuel Cabral and Indian High Commissioner to Kenya Suchitra Durai in Nairobi.

He said developed countries should address the concerns of developing nations on issues of subsidies and access to markets for their products.

Ruto said developed countries had put hurdles on the way for agricultural products from developing nations to access markets leading to a lose-win situation.

"The ongoing trade negotiations should refine those issues which have been raised to expand trade around the world and for the benefit of all the concerned parties," said Ruto.

The East African nation is hosting the 10th WTO ministerial conference, the first of its kind on African soil. The meeting comes more than 20 years after the conclusion of the Marrakesh Agreement in Morocco which led to the creation of the WTO in January 1995.

The conference comes as the global community is now tasked with translating the aspirations of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into practical action, including within the realm of trade policymaking.

Portugal Economy Minister Manuel Cabral said he was confident that developed nations would address the concerns raised by developing countries on issues of subsidies and access to markets during the ongoing WTO conference.

"It is my hope that this Nairobi meeting will come up with favourable balance of trade for all of us to benefit," said Elitas.

Indian High Commissioner Suchitra Durai said she was hopeful that the WTO meeting would come up with favourable conditions for all nations.

Portugal Economy Minister Manuel Cabral said there is need for developed nations and developing ones to build bridges and ensure balance of trade is for the benefit of all nations.

"Both developed and developing countries should work towards building bridges and strengthening diplomatic ties in addressing challenges facing our people," said Cabral. Enditem