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Koya raises concern at regional WTO workshop

May 22, 2018 11:14 pm

The global economy and especially Small Island Developing States of the Pacific cannot afford the emergence of protectionism and tit-for-tat trade war.

This was highlighted by Trade Minister Faiyaz Koya yesterday while opening the Regional Workshop on the Eleventh Ministerial Conference (MC11) and Post MC 11.

Koya also emphasised the World Trade Organisation (WTO) “needs to be strong to ensure the observance and integrity of global trade rules”.

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Fiji and the Pacific Island Countries, he said, as small island economies have unique needs, and are at most risk of being left behind by the multilateral trading system.

Koya says these economies need to be protected and provided a level playing field by the WTO.

He adds in spite of Fiji’s limited human and capital resources places great importance on the need to actively participate in the World Trade Organization’s forums.

The Minister says Fiji is gravely concerned at the lack of outcomes from MC11, especially on issues that are of importance to the Pacific region- fisheries.