Nairobi — It was a win for the developing countries after the 10th World Trade Organisation (WTO) Ministerial Conference finally closed a deal on elimination of agricultural and export subsidies.
Developing countries have been protesting against the subsidies as it inhibited their potential to trade.
The subsidies made agricultural products and exports from developing countries more expensive thus unattractive.
Speaking during the closing ceremony on Saturday, WTO Director General Roberto Azevêdo termed the deal as historical.
“This task has been outstanding since the exporting subsidies were banned for industrial goods more than 50 years ago. Today’s decision tackles the issue once and for all,” he said.
He says the move removes the distortion the subsides have caused in the agriculture market thereby helping to level the playing field for the benefit of farmers and exporters in developed and least developed countries.
“It will also help to limit similar distorting effects associated with exports credit and state trade enterprises,” he added.
The talks which were supposed to end on Friday had stalled with a few BRICS countries blocking the agricultural agenda.
The BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) are characterised by rapidly growing economies and increasing international influence.
For example India has had issues on farm subsidies with countries like the US and China, terming it as “huge trade distortion” as it has had adverse impact on millions of resource-poor and subsistence farmers in developing countries.
It has also been demanding a permanent solution that will entitle poor countries to public stock holdings of food grains, and safeguards to protect them from sudden import surges.
The WTO also managed to conclude on a landmark deal on the Information Technology Agreement (ITA) which had taken 18 years to conclude.
“We have been able to achieve truly remarkable results and this cannot be overstated. We have agreed on a package of outcomes that will have a positive impact on the developing countries and in particular the Least Developed Countries,” concluded Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohammed.
The CS who received a standing ovation said: “the areas covered represent deeply important aspirations of many members and will establish the path for agricultural reforms and as well as on securing food for the most disadvantaged.”