Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Matrika Prasad Yadav held a meeting with Roberto Azevedo, Director General (DG) of the World Trade Organization (WTO) on 22 October at the latter’s office in Geneva, Switzerland.
A number of trade related issues ranging from challenges of multilateral trading system, state of trade negotiations at the WTO and the issues and concerns of LDC in general and Nepal in particular were discussed during the meeting.
The minister is presently in Geneva leading a Nepali delegation to the world Investment Forum (WIF) 2018.
Appreciating the Director General’s supportive role to the LDC, Minister asked the WTO to provide continued technical support to Nepal in enhancing trade related capacity. Also, he underlined the coordinating role of the WTO for multi-donor support to implement the trade facilitation agreement.
Minister Yadav, referring prosperous Nepal, happy Nepali as the long-term objective of the present government, 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.
Indicating the global trade tension and impasse at the WTO negotiations, DG Roberto Azevedo underscored the need for support of all members as every country has to suffer from its systemic failure. The DG also wished successful completion of 2nd trade policy review of Nepal which is taking place in December this year. The Minister 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.
Minister is attending UNCTAD’s World Investment Forum, 2018 which is taking place from October 22 to 26 at Palais des Nations, Geneva.
