View Articles

Lori Wallach, Director of Public Citizen Global Trade Watch, during discussion in WTO public forum stated the need to move towards a more robust regulation of financial systems to avoid the next financial crisis. Current WTO rules on financial services do not reflect the new context post-financial crisis, she said. Ms Wallach called for an institutional review of the WTO to bring rules in sync with reality. She discussed how liberalization implied deregulation and possibilities of establishing domestic prudential norms.

A mix of academics and consultants in WTO public forum discussed the inappropriateness of rules based on 19th century trade patterns to cope with complex global supply chains, and about conflicting legislation, concluding on a need for harmonization on several fronts, preferably based on a bottom-up approach.

An International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission led by Mr. Todd Schneider visited Dushanbe during September 12 - September 21 to conduct discussions for the Fifth Review of the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement.

LUCKNOW: Veteran leader and former chief minister Kalyan Singh told IPA that he would never return to BJP fold.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: There is a frighteningly yawning gap between the United Democratic Front (UDF) leaders’ loud protestations of respect for judiciary and their deeds at the ground level. That is the unmistakable conclusion which emerges from L’affaire PC George.

NEW DELHI: Gas Authority of India Ltd (GAIL) is bidding for equity in the consortium that will be set up by the four participating countries Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan and India (TAPI) to construct the gas pipeline for transporting gas to the three countries from Turkmenistan. India is serious in going ahead with the early completion of the TAPI project and it will recommend the case of GAIL as one of the contractors at the next meeting of the participating countries.

LUCKNOW: The battle for wooing Muslim voters who constitute 18 per cent of the total electorate in Uttar Pradesh, has started in right earnest following Chief Minister Mayawati sending a letter to the Prime Minister seeking reservations for the Muslims in the government jobs and in educational institutions.

A session in WTO PUBLIC FORUM: 19—21 SEPTEMBER 2011 discussed in two parts, how to dealing with food prices and subsidies in agriculture, and the future of the WTO.

Chaired by Ahmed Abdel Latif (ICTSD), a session in WTO PUBLIC FORUM: 19—21 SEPTEMBER 2011 discussed the impact of the TRIPS (Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights) Agreement 15 years after its coming into force from a legal, economic and institutional perspective and possible lessons for the future of the international intellectual property (IP) regime.

A session in WTO PUBLIC FORUM: 19—21 SEPTEMBER 2011 examined the role of trade in protecting food security and the impact of trade policies and regulations on food price volatility and on the flow of agricultural and food products. Speaking from different perspectives, the panellists shared the view that trade openness can help to ensure food security and moderate price volatility.