10/6/2005
Mandelson Stresses Trade Gains For Africa

In Cairo this week for the African Union Trade Ministers’ meeting on the WTO Doha Round of trade negotiations, EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson has been arguing the EU’s commitment to the development goals of the Doha Trade Round, which he will argue can be “the round for Africa”.

On top of recent initiatives by the EU with new commitments to flexible treatment and tariff and quota-free market access for the poorest countries, Commissioner Mandelson is urging African Trade Ministers to back new trade rules that could dramatically increase developing countries’ capacity to do business with the EU and the rest of the world. He will also call for strong backing for trade facilitation efforts through EU and G8 aid for trade assistance.

“Lowering the costs of trade by efficient trade facilitation measures is another example of how the Doha Round can deliver for developing countries in addition to market opening and phasing out farm export subsidies. This Round will only work if developing countries gain from it. I am determined to see this happen,” said Mr Mandelson. “Trade is the engine of economic growth. In expanding trade we must also ensure that developing countries are able to participate in these opportunities,” he added.

We carry Mr Mandelson's speech to African trade ministers in this edition of EuropaWorld.