Results for WTO

For years, WTO members have failed to forge an agreement to limit fishing subsidies, thereby allowing the continuation of ecologically devastating fishing operations that would otherwise be economically unviable. Now an agreement is within reach – if the political will is there to deliver it. The comprehensive draft now on the table combines measures to curb harmful subsidies with specific exceptions for developing countries. Governments have given their word that they will curb destructive fisheries subsidies. This week’s 12th Ministerial Conference in Geneva (30 Nov.-3 Dec.) will test the credibility of that pledge. By Helen Clark, et al.

This week a World Trade Organisation Negotiating Group said they were ready to start new discussions on a multilateral agreement to curb fisheries subsidies. But while the WTO is pushing for an outcome by the end of the year, it remains an issue that small Pacific Islands states such as Tonga still have to fully address.

A two-days workshop on Emerging Global and Regional Trade Issues for the Commonwealth Pacific Region began at the Scenic Hotel, Pelehake, Tongatapu this morning 12 November.

An important review of Tonga's trade policy by the WTO in Geneva, Switzerland, from February 11-13, found that the Pacific island nation faces a backlog of reforms that are required to modernize and streamline its legal and regulatory frameworks for economic development. Tonga's imports continue to outstrip its exports by a factor of at least 10:1 annually and over 50% of its imports are for fuel and food.

Communications costs in Tonga are under pressure as the Tonga Government aims to collect more than $10 million pa'anga revenue from the communications and public enterprises sector in the current financial year.

Free trade negotiations come with the usual rhetoric about how it will bring development to the Pacific, a type of 'development' that is being painfully felt right now in Tonga. Tonga became a member of the World Trade Organization under what has been described as the "worst" terms of any country. So confident in the benefits that would come with liberalisation and lowering of tariffs the government argued that no future government would question WTO membership since the benefits would be "manifestly obvious for all". Sadly Tonga's current crisis is what is has become obvious for all.

'Oku ou faka'amu pe keke mea'i Katalin, kuo hanga 'ehe ngaahi fonua, kau ai 'a e EU 'o fakafaingofua'i 'etau fengaue'aki 'aki hano fokotu'u 'o ha ngaahi 'ofisi 'o kau ai 'a e 'Ofisi Fakafeitu'u 'i Suva, Fisi. 'Oku 'I ai hotau 'ofisi fakafeitu'u 'i Geneva kene fakahoko fatongia ki he WTO. - Dr Fotu K.V. Fisiiahi.

Tonga's plan to become a member of the World Trade Organisation WTO in July this year is now very doubtful, according to Paulo Kautoke, the Chief Executive Officer for the Ministry of Labour Commerce and Industries.

The ultimate purpose of the flurry of trade talks in recent years is to prepare Tonga for becoming a member of the World Trade Organisation, when it will introduce free trade and zero tariffs between Tonga and the 136 member states of the WTO. From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 17, no. 3, November 2002.