Another round of WTO consultations to save Bali Package

After building high hopes for a crucial meet on Tuesday, World Trade Organization (WTO) Director-General Roberto Azevêdo admitted he had nothing substantive to add than his previous statement and will hold consultations with member-nations from Wednesday to salvage the Bali Package, hit by an impasse over the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) and food security issues.

Addressing the General Council meeting, Azevêdo said, “I have no additional news to report since my statement at the TNC (Trade Negotiations Committee) last week. Therefore, I won't make a further, substantive statement today (on Tuesday).”

He said the consultation process that he outlined at TNC will start on Wednesday.

“Whether, and how, we make progress will be in your hands. I will be holding a series of meetings in a range of different configurations. We then plan to hold a heads of delegations meeting on October 30. We will confirm the exact details very soon,” Azevêdo said.

Giving a ray of hope, Azevêdo had said at the TNC meeting on October 16 there is a “widespread positive disposition” to find a permanent solution to the issue of public stock-holding of foodgrain.