Bangladesh, as a coordinator of the least developed countries, is in the process of finalising the proposal of LDCs in consultation with other members and will submit the proposal by the end of September. Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed assured Roberto Azevêdo, Director General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), during a meeting in Geneva on Friday, according to a message received in Dhaka. Tofail was accompanied by the Ambassador and PR of Bangladesh in Geneva M Shameem Ahsan and Dr Mostafa Abid Khan, Minister, Bangla-desh Mission. Appreciating the leadership role of the Director General in moving the DDA forward, the Minister thanked him for taking the initiative to have a fruitful outcome on LDC issues at the 10th WTO Ministerial Conference in Nairobi. He emphasised the need for meaningful outcome on rules of origin for LDCs, operationalisation of LDC service waiver, DFQF market access for LDCs, extension of TRIPS transition period for pharmaceutical products and conclusion of DDA. He also apprised the Director General about consultation he had with the LDCs Ambassadors on 17 September. This gave him the opportunity to exchange the views on how to move forward the LDCs issues in the run-up to the conference in Nairobi. The DG viewed the consultation as very timely and effective. The director general informed the minister that he has been trying to push Doha Work programme as much as possible and mentioned that strategic decisions from WTO members, especially from key players, are required to move towards conclusion of DDA. WTO chief expressed his optimism to have a meaningful outcome on LDCs issue, which is likely to include LDCs issues of Bali decisions and other issues of interest to LDCs, such as special and differential provisions, and indicated that there is a wider support to LDC package in Nairobi. He also emphasised the need for implementation of Hong Kong Ministerial decision on DFQF market access for LDCs and informed the Director General that LDC group is in the process of formulating common position on this issue. Commerce Minister Tofail thanked the director general and the WTO Secretariat for their supports and cooperation to Bangladesh in its functions as the LDCs Coordinator.
