WTO mini-Ministerial at Davos on Jan 24

Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will participate in the meet

Trade Ministers of India, US and Australia, among other countries, will meet on January 24 on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum Summit at Davos to discuss the road-ahead for the WTO, including the post-Bali programme.

"It will be a kind of WTO mini-Ministerial meeting. About 20-22 trade ministers may attend the meeting. Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman would participate besides WTO Director General Roberto Azevedo and others," an official said.

The meeting assumes significance as the 160-member body has adopted the much-delayed Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) and agreed to find a permanent solution on the issues arising out of the implementation of food security programmes of developing countries including India.

In November (rpt) November last year, India secured a major victory at Geneva with the WTO accommodating its food security demands, leading to conclusion of an historic trade reform deal.

The official said that the ministers are expected to discuss the post-Bali work programme like implementation of the TFA and pending matters of the Doha Round during the meeting.

WEF's high-profile annual congregation of the world's rich and powerful at the Swiss ski resort town of Davos will this year is expected to host over 300 heads of state and government along with 1,500 business leaders, including more than 100 members of India Inc.

Besides Sitharaman, Coal and Power Minister Piyush Goyal would also attend the WEF event scheduled from January 20-24.

Senior government officials and top business leaders from the country are also expected to attend.

The theme of this year's annual meeting is 'The new global context' and will have Indian industrialist and Jubilant Group head Hari S Bhartia as one of the six co-chairs.