The second task force meeting of Nepal’s accession to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and

the bilateral talks on market access held at the WTO secretariat in Geneva, Switzerland concluded

recently.

According to the Ministry of Industry Commerce and Supplies the talks focused on Nepal’s proposal for reforming customs rates, commitment on opening up services sectors and reforming Nepali laws as per the WTO provision.

At the meeting representatives of 20 countries including India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, America, Bangladesh, the European Union, Australia, Zambia, Thailand, Haiti, China, Cuba, Norway, Switzerland, Canada Japan, New Zealand, Mongolia, Republic of Korea and Zibuti supported Nepal’s accession to the WTO on the basis of a flexible policy for being a least developed country.

The member countries were also of the view that conditions and commitment should be asked for from Nepal which Nepal’s rate of economic development can withstand.

According to the ministry, Zambia on behalf of the least developed countries, other LDCs Bangladesh, Haiti, Zibuti and under developed countries India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Thailand, Cuba and Mongolia gave especial emphasis to special easy entry into the WTO.

They also commented that the present proposal along with the reform customs rates and commitment in the service trade sector was very positive in comparison to preliminary proposal presented in September, 2000.

However some member countries demanded that the proposed customs rates should be brought

closer to the current customs rate and other taxes like special tax, agriculture development tax and

local development tax should be demarcated at zero.

Likewise demands were also made to liberalise the financial and banking sector, legal and accounts business, hydro electricity, construction business, distribution services and other areas of services.

Responding to their demands, Nepal agreed at the meeting to finalise the above issues following discussion with the concerning sectors and then inform the member countries about it, adds the

Ministry.