9 Dec 2013

WTO agreement fails the Pacific

4:44 pm on 9 December 2013

The Pacific Network on Globalisation says the recent World Trade Organisation agreement does little for its Pacific members.

The agreement, signed off by 159 nations in Bali on Saturday, simplifies trade procedures and reduces export barriers.

A PANG campaigner, Adam Wolfenden, says The Trade Facilitation agreement will see rich countries and their corporations benefit from having their goods move through Pacific borders more quickly.

He says it will not mean an increase in Pacific exports.

Mr Wolfenden says the agreement means the Pacific will now be diverting precious government revenues into facilitating more imports.

He says the agreement shows there is little hope the WTO will ever deliver in the Pacific's interests.