Developing countries object to surprise draft text

GENEVA: As the WTO mini ministerial approaches, the news upsetting many developing countries is that the Chair of the Services negotiations, Ambassador Fernando de Mateo of Mexico, has issued a report on Services negotiations, in the form of a draft Services text, at a meeting of July 17. Apparently delegations were not informed nor were all consulted, and some accuse the Chair of lack of transparency.

Members countries of Bolivia, Cuba and Venezuela who have been opposing a Services negotiating text on the grounds that it was not appropriate and unnecessary since the 2005 Hong Kong Ministerial had already concluded the modalities have been surprised.

Interestingly, it is reported that the new draft had been agreed on July 15 to by Ambassadors of the Enchilada Group (India, China, Pakistan, Philippines, Japan, the European Union, the United States of America, Canada, Brazil, South Africa, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and some others) without informing others. Coming at this late stage this could give rise to more tensions at the mini ministerial.