African ministers urge rich countries to ensure fair trade

African trade ministers kicked off a day-long meeting in Nairobi on Friday, urging richer countries to give more than they receive as the continent seeks to forge a common position ahead of the World Trade Organizations (WTO) meeting due later this year.

Speaking at the opening session of the Fourth Ordinary Session of the African Union Ministers of Trade, the delegates asked the European Union and United States to redress trade imbalances and slash down trade-distorting subsidies to help developing countries gain more access to developed markets.

The African trade ministers also called for political courage and will in the negotiations, particularly over agriculture and market access, vowing to renegotiate for a new pact which would guarantee open market for the continent's exports.

"Africa is supposed to have a comparative advantage in agricultural and primary commodities but the developed countries provide subsidies and thus African farmers cannot compete. Although we enjoy some preferences in the EU market, some of our products are subjected to high tariff peaks and escalation," said Kenya's Trade Minister Mukhisa Kituyi.

"In view of the above, Africa needs to renegotiate for a New Pact guaranteeing open market for her exports. Such a commitment will prove to both sides that the long period of marginalization is over," added Kituyi, the incoming chair of the AU trade ministers.

The ministers warned that Africa would no longer be party to flawed trading pacts that do not take into consideration the continent's development agenda.

"Africa has a right to insist that an outcome of the Doha Round negotiations that does not take adequate account of its major interests and concerns will not be acceptable," warned Elizabeth Tankeu, AU Commissioner of Trade and Industry.

"While improved market access and balance rules are necessary, they are not sufficient conditions for the effective participation of African countries in global trading system," she added.

The African ministers are meeting to review the progress made in the conclusion of the Doha Development Round of talks on enhancing market access and cutting down on hefty farm and agricultural subsidies enjoyed by the farmers in the rich states.

The AU meeting, which brought together 52 trade ministers from all over the continent, is also discussing how Africa's interests can be safeguarded in the WTO talks and in the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) negotiations with Europe.

The ministers argue that although the EU and US have agreed to eliminate agricultural export subsidies by 2013, they have not adequately addressed many of the other harmful payments.

The meeting which will end later Friday is expected to come up with a Nairobi declaration which will guide the continent in future negotiations.

Source: Xinhua