Lamy's remarks at opening session of Aid for Trade Conference
21 Sep '07
3 min read
The second of three regional conferences — following one in Lima last week and preceding one in Dar es Salaam in early October — it will provide the regional perspective on Aid for Trade, culminating in a “Global Review” in Geneva on 21–22 November.
The WTO's main contribution to growth and development — for this region and for the world — is the current Doha Round of multilateral trade negotiations. In terms of market opening and strengthened international rules, it promises to have a greater impact than the Uruguay Round.
But while trade opening is indispensable to development, it is not sufficient in itself. What Asia has shown us is that countries also need access to the basic infrastructure that drives globalization — 21st century transport corridors and telecommunications networks that can connect exporters to world markets; modern customs facilities that can move products rapidly and efficiently across borders; testing labs to ensure that exports meet international standards; and the sophisticated expertise and institutions needed to navigate a highly complex world trading system.
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