WTO chief in Rwanda over global trade deal stalemate

The Director-General of World Trade Organization (WTO), Roberto Azevêdo, is today expected to call on the Minister for Trade and Industry to discuss ways to end an ongoing stalemate in the implementation of the Trade Facilitation Agreement. The meeting with Francois Kanimba is part of the world trade agency’s efforts to rally global leaders to share implications on the governance of global trade if the current standoff persists and to exchange views on possible solutions. The WTO head will be in the country today for a one day visit. The 2013 agreement by WTO member countries aimed at improving the efficiency of customs procedures, customs compliance, technical assistance and capacity building initiatives for developing countries hit a stalemate which say it miss it’s July 31 deadline when it was due for adoption. However, it hit a stalemate after a group of countries led by India moved to renegotiate parts of the WTO agreement on agriculture. The main points that brewed controversy are the provisions of terms by which food security programmes of developing countries will be treated. The New Times understands other matters that Azevêdo will discuss with the minister are issues of interest to Africa such as Aid for Trade. The minister was unavailable for comment by press time.

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WTO chief in Rwanda over global trade deal stalemate