Yadav urges WTO for technical support

Kathmandu, Oct. 23: Matrika Prasad Yadav, Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies held a meeting with Director General (DG) of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Roberto Azevedo on Monday at the latter’s office.

A number of trade related issues ranges from challenges of multilateral trading system, state of play in trade negotiations at the WTO and the issues and concerns of LDC in general, and Nepal in particular were discussed during the meeting, said the Permanent Mission of Nepal to Geneva.

Appreciating Azevedo’s supportive role to the LDCs, Minister Yadav asked the WTO to provide continued technical support to Nepal in enhancing trade-related capacity.

He also underlined the coordinating role of the WTO for multi-donor support to implement the trade facilitation agreement.

Referring ‘prosperous Nepal, happy Nepali’ as the long-term objective of the present government, the Minister requested for continued support from the WTO and other development partners to achieve its overarching goal of sustainable development by exploiting its enormous untapped resources. 

Yadav indicated that the WTO could play a facilitating role, under the DG’s leadership, for global dialogue to find out the practical solution of the WTO impasse.

Indicating the global trade tension and impasse at the WTO negotiations, Azevedo underscored the need for support of all members as every country has to suffer from its systemic failure.

He also wished successful completion of the second trade policy review of Nepal which is taking place in December this year.

Minister Yadav is attending UNCTAD’s World Investment Forum, 2018 which is taking place from 22 to 26 October at Palais des Nations, Geneva.

His delegation includes Secretary of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies Yam Kumari Khatiwada, Ambassador of Nepal to the Permanent Mission in Geneva Deepak Dhital and Deputy Permanent Representative (Commerce) Mina Aryal.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 24 October 2018.