. /.WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONWT/MIN(01)/ST/14
10 November 2001
(01-5591)
MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE
Fourth Session
Doha, 9 - 13 November 2001Original:  English
UNITED KINGDOM
Statement by H.E. Baroness Liz Symons of Vernham Dean
Minister of State for Trade and Industry
Mr Chairman, I am pleased to be able to address you here today.
I would like to join others in thanking His Highness the Emir and his Government for their
splendid hospitality and the excellent arrangements they have made for hosting this Conference.
We face a real challenge in the days ahead.  A challenge that needs close cooperation, strong
leadership and mutual understanding from us all.
It is clear that we stand on the brink of a wo rldwide economic downturn.  And this in a world
where we see every day that events in one nation impact on us all.  Our response must therefore be
global.  We cannot retreat into isolation and protectionism.  To do so would be a disaster.  Instead, we
must demonstrate our common resolve and inject new confidence in the global economy by launching
a new WTO round.
As we seek to steer this Ministerial Conference to a successful conclusion we must have
clearly in our minds the need to launch negotiations which are relevant to and which benefit the
world's poorest countries and fully integrate them into the global economy.
Studies show how significant a round could be.  If all WTO Members were to cut all trade
barriers in half the world could benefit to the tune of some US$400 billion a year, around 1.4 per cent
of global GDP.  Of this around US$150 billi on would accrue to developing countries.
The UK is committed to ensuring that this round is truly a "Development Round".
What does this mean?  I very much agree with the comments made earlier by my colleague
Pascal Lamy.  Developing countries have much to gain from being part of an open, rules-based
trading system.  Equally they would have much to lo se if that system were to be placed in jeopardy.
Free trade is not a one-way street – developed countries cannot demand more openness from
others without offering it ourselves.  And the more developing countries are prepared to open their
markets to each other the more we  think they will benefit.
We understand the obstacles many developing countries face in participating fully in the work
of the WTO and taking advantage of the opportunities it offers.  Just this week, the UK demonstrated
its commitment to addressing these capacity constraints.WT/MIN(01)/ST/14
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Clare Short, the UK Development Minister, announced a £20 million package of new
measures.  And Tony Blair, the UK Prime Minister , wrote to Horst Kohler of the International
Monetary Fund and James Wolfensohn of the World Bank urging both to commit their organizations
to provide financial support to least-developed count ries working to open their own markets.  He also
urged them to step up Bank and Fund efforts  to build trade capacity.
When it comes to the substance of our talks  this week, the UK, together with our EU partners,
will be seeking an ambitious negotiating agenda.  And for good reasons.
Within the WTO, Members set global  rules that order and stabilize international trade.  But
significant barriers still remain – going beyond tariffs and quotas.  Lack of transparency in  investment
and competition rules still holds back international trade .  Cumbersome customs procedures
sometimes do the same.  None of us – whether developed or developing – can make the most of  our
trading links until we remove these barriers.
We must also extend the rules-based trading system – bringing more countries into the WTO.
The accession ceremonies that we will witness this evening and tomorrow are welcome steps in thisdirection.
We have a clear challenge facing us here in Doha – to launch a  short, decisive, and successful
round of trade negotiations.  A round that delivers for developing countries.   A round that aims to
reduce poverty.  A round which improves market access for all  and which seeks to build the capacity
developing countries need to participate effectively in the WTO and reap the benefit of that market
access.
We must all face up to the challenges ahead.  The WTO cannot afford to miss this
opportunity.
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