U.N.: Trade Not Enough for Poor Countries

The Las Vegas Sun ^ | May 05, 2004 at 11:16:25 PDT | NAOMI KOPPEL

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

GENEVA (AP) - Global treaties to cut barriers to international trade aren't enough to boost the economies of the world's poorest nations, a senior United Nations official said Wednesday.

Countries can't benefit from easier access to foreign markets unless they get help to improve their infrastructure, train staff and attract investment, said Rubens Ricupero, secretary-general of the U.N. Conference on Trade and Development. Without that help, nations simply can't supply the products even if consumers want to buy them, he said.

"I think there is more to the equation that trade brings development than trade negotiations, because we have to make countries capable of trading," Ricupero said.

"People still think that (increased production capacity) will automatically follow trade negotiations, and I think this is the big delusion."

He pointed out that countries in sub-Saharan Africa have enjoyed special low tariffs on exports to the European Union for 30 years, yet many still are the poorest countries in the world because they don't have the capacity to produce and export.

Ricupero, a former Brazilian Environment Minister, steps down later this year after nine years at the top of the 192-nation UNCTAD.

During that time, he said, poorer nations have learned to make their voices heard at the World Trade Organization by forming groupings that are holding an increasingly powerful position in negotiations on a new treaty to reduce import tariffs and other barriers to free international trade.

The question of constraints on production remains, however, "the dark side of the moon," Ricupero said.

UNCTAD is holding its four-yearly meeting in Sao Paulo, Brazil, next month, and the WTO talks will be high on the agenda. The UNCTAD meeting comes just weeks before a deadline for negotiators at the 147-nation WTO to agree on a framework for the treaty.

"In Sao Paulo we will have the presence of all the developing countries," Ricupero said.

"It will be an occasion where unavoidably those countries will have to take stock of the current state of the efforts to resume negotiations."

WTO talks have been virtually stalled since the collapse of the organization's ministerial meeting in Cancun, Mexico, last September.

Ricupero said the biggest issue to tackle in the talks is the fact that current WTO agreements virtually outlaw government subsidies to producers of manufactured goods but still allow rich nations to pay hundreds of billions of dollars annually to their farmers.

Poor nations say those agricultural subsidies mean they are unable to compete in the international marketplace even though they can produce many products more cheaply than farmers in industrialized countries.

"If we don't deal with that, the world trading system will remain a work-in-progress, something that is unfinished," Ricupero said.

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[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Guess they want a world wide welfare system.

[TheBigB]

Countries can't benefit from easier access to foreign markets unless they get help to improve their infrastructure, train staff and attract investment, said Rubens Ricupero, secretary-general of the U.N. Conference on Trade and Development.

'Nother words, "Gimme a dollar."

[OldFriend]

The UN cronies can donate their ill gotten gains from the oil for food ripoff of Iraq.

[End Times Sentinel]

I wouldn't doubt it. 

It's not my fault their government is corrupt.  All the free trade in the world isn't going to fix a crooked despot.

Owl_Eagle

”Guns Before Butter.”

[ClearCase_guy]

The marketplace cannot help solve economic problems. Only endless charity can solve economic problems [/sarcasm]

[KarlInOhio]

Poor nations say those agricultural subsidies mean they are unable to compete in the international marketplace even though they can produce many products more cheaply than farmers in industrialized countries.

Until someone like Mugabe takes over and you stop being able to feed even yourselves.

[PetroniDE]

Message to the U.N. -- DROP DEAD !!!

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

I posted this earlier regarding the UN:

U.N. Votes to Keep Sudan on Commission (US walks out )

[goodnesswins]

UN equals TERRORIST Protection Network

[JimSEA]

As long as these countries remain in the grip of evil, corrupt, totalitarian governments (ie. Burma, Laos, you name it in Africa, etc.) no amount of money will do anything other than improve the lifestyles of the rulers and their UN enablers. Oil for Food has given the "lie" to all UN pronouncements on developing nations.

[TheBigB]

That's the Communist model...allow those w/o jobs to starve to death. Viola...100% employment (eventually.)

[GungaLaGunga]

"WE WANT CASH". That's the sum of it. And I'll leave you to guess which bank accounts it will find it's way to.

[lady lawyer]

Until the third world stops teaching socialism to their populations, nothing will get better.

[etcetera]

"I think there is more to the equation that trade brings development than trade negotiations, because we have to make countries capable of trading," Ricupero said.

"People still think that (increased production capacity) will automatically follow trade negotiations, and I think this is the big delusion."

The big delusion is that 3rd World sh*t holes can be considered countries.

[Willie Green]

Countries can't benefit from easier access to foreign markets unless they get help to improve their infrastructure, train staff and attract investment, said Rubens Ricupero

Wrong-o, Reubens. Attracting investment won't help the local populace and will only enrich the investors (plus the corrupt bureaucrats who skim international handouts). The people would be better-off utilizing their own resources as best as possible to improve their own lot and build some "sweat equity" in their nations.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Until the third world stops teaching socialism to their populations, nothing will get better.

Well, that is what the UN does best, and that is why the US Leftists like Kerry like what they do!

[Sam Cree]

"unless they get help to improve their infrastructure, train staff"

the UN wants us to help developing countries with their train staff? Cool, we can set it up so every country has something as cool as Amtrack!

[Sam Cree]

"Guess they want a world wide welfare system."

Yeah, let's do worldwide what we did for poverty in the US with welfare...make it grow.

[nicollo]

Dear UN, World Bank, IMF, et. al,

Quit wasting money by giving it away to the third world. Instead, go to any county in America, buy the courthouse, and send it abroad, judges, U.S. Constitution, Rule of Law, and all, and you will see economic reform.

Love,

Nicollo

PS You can keep the judges.