Trade Negotiations: Agenda Charge for 2013

Mauritius economic diplomacy will be put to the test this year with an agenda of trade negotiations busy both at the multilateral, regional or bilateral. Technicians of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, in particular, and the private sector, including the MCCI will be constantly on the go prepare for these negotiations, indicate the records specialists of trade negotiations.

The most anticipated event of 2013, says it will hold the Ninth Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO) held in Bali, Indonesia, from 3 to 6 December 2013. Participation in this conference indicate the areas concerned, require careful preparation, ongoing consultation with various countries and groups of countries to decide the way forward. "It will be a make-it or break-it meeting for the credibility and future of the multilateral trading system," Assad told us Bhuglah, Director of Trade Policy, International Trade Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The WTO launched one of the most important rounds of trade negotiations, also known as the Doha Development Round in 2001 with the objective of concluding negotiations in three years. But they were drawn long, deadlines are never respected as the differences between the countries were glaring.

Some countries have argued that the development needs of developing countries have not been taken into account and that the industrialized countries and other emerging economies have struggled to discuss their interests in meetings of select groups outside the perimeters of the WTO, focusing mainly on issues affecting agriculture and industrial tariffs. Nevertheless, the major players in the global economy are not able to agree on many issues. However, it suggests that there are several factors that could force the member countries of the WTO to seek a solution to the Doha Round at the Bali conference. Members of the WTO, a specialist record supports multilateral negotiations, have an interest in a common approach in the wake of the global economic crisis. The credibility of the multilateral trading system is at stake, failure of the next Ministerial Conference may affect the trading system, do you out. In addition, it is estimated now that the United States no longer have to worry about the presidential election, they throw all their weight in the conclusion of the Doha Round.

However, a major challenge attracts the attention of member countries of the WTO at the beginning of the year: the election of a new Director General of the organization to succeed Pascal Lamy. Intense transactions are on the sidelines in this election. To date, nine candidates from different continents are competing to take over for the next four years. The African continent has two candidates, a Kenyan and a Ghanaian. The African Union has not ruled on the application for this election it will support the Directorate-General of the WTO.

AGOA conference

In the African continent, one appointments the most important 2013 conference held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in July, between African trade ministers and representatives of the Obama administration in the context of meeting of the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). This is the first interaction between African and U.S. officials after the presidential elections and the first face-to-face meeting between the new Secretary of State, John Kerry, Hillary Clinton's successor, and African leaders. AGOA conference, it is pointed out, is an opportunity to lay the groundwork for discussions for the renewal of AGOA expires in 2015. Some countries argue for an extension of AGOA long as the exemption known as the Third Country Fabric.

The attention of negotiators Mauritius is also focused on discussions around the economic partnership agreement between the group of countries in Eastern and Southern Africa and the European Union. An interim agreement was signed in 2009 and came into force in May 2012. Four countries in the sub-region (Mauritius, Madagascar, Seychelles and Zimbabwe) have signed the interim agreement and offers market access made by Mauritius are in force since 1 January 2013. Maurice, let t be heard redouble efforts in the current year for the conclusion of a comprehensive agreement with the EU would also include services and development issues. We will also discuss this year of notification of the interim agreement at the WTO. Members of the latter organization will be required to determine whether the interim agreement is compatible with WTO rules.

At the regional level, the Tripartite Summit COMESA / EAC / SADC to be held in Cairo in the second half which is eagerly awaited by members of these three regional blocs as it will, according to them, a new pulse negotiations already opened for the establishment of a free trade area in 2014. Level negotiations technicians have multiplied, the latest of which took place in Cairo in December 2012. Although progress has been made on a number of issues, negotiations are usually complicated and complex, do you out. There is a risk that they may be delayed. The Cairo summit should pave the way forward to avoid the pitfalls.

Regarding records bilateral trade cooperation, it is expected that the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Arvin Boolell, and the Minister of Commerce of Turkey signed soon Mauritius / Turkey Trade Economic Framework Agreement, the agreement last year. The signing could take place on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum conference to be held in Davos from January 23 to 27 next.

It is expected, moreover, that consultations resume business this year between Mauritius and India, on the one hand, and Mauritius and Pakistan, on the other hand. Local environments want thrown during the visit of Indian Commerce Minister Anand Sharma, the questions on the Preferential Trade Agreement (CPA) is restarted. This agreement had been reached several years ago. Regarding talks with Pakistan, announces the arrival of a delegation from the country to hold the next Joint Working Group Meeting.

With regard to cooperation with the United States, official circles indicate a meeting convened in the first quarter of 2013 to review the implementation of the work program agreed under the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA). The United States and Mauritius have agreed to work closely to develop trade in services and eliminate barriers to trade. The two countries also intend to develop a framework for investment promotion.