. /.WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONWT/MIN(01)/ST/86
11 November 2001
(01-5678)
MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE
Fourth Session
Doha, 9 - 13 November 2001Original:  English
SAINT LUCIA
Statement by H.E. Mr Edwin Laurent
Ambassador, Permanent Representative to the WTO
I wish to thank Qatar and His Highness the Emir Hamad Al Khalifa Al Thani for their kind
hospitality and the excellent arrangements made on the occasion of this Ministerial Conference.
It is with no eagerness or optimism that Saint Lucia approaches this Fourth Ministerial
Conference.  Given our historical openness to trade both import and export, it can be said that we are
already well integrated into the global economy and the multilateral trading system.  But that
openness has not been a source of economic strength or development but rather, an instrument of our
fragility and susceptibility to external shocks which have wreaked havoc with our economies.
The fall-out on tourism of the events of the 11 September have us tottering at the edge of the
precipice of economic disaster.  The ongoing slowdown in global economic activity was compounded
by the decline in our export earnings from bananas as the effect of liberalization of the EC banana
market took hold along with the negative impact on farmers' confidence of the protracted banana
dispute.  All this has led to a considerable slowdown of domestic economic activity and a spiralling of
the unemployment rate.
It is disappointing to us that all members of the international community do not always
understand or are sympathetic with our predicament.  We are not alone because we share themarginalization in global trade of the countries of the ACP Group and the vulnerability of Small
Island Developing States (SIDS) – that group whic h is amongst the smallest and most fragile of
economies.
With respect to the ACP, we find that the legiti mate request for a waiver to give legal security
to the essential trade preferences for the ACP, are be ing held hostage as some countries seek to exact
concessions from the EC or pontificate that trade preferences are "not in our development interests".
But why should we penalized in this way when we pose no actual or potential threat to any other
country?
Small countries like mine are completely marginal in terms of world trade.  Saint Lucia's
share of merchandise trade is statistically insignificant, being registered as 0.00 per cent.  There areother SIDS which account for even less than ourselves.  But the membership balks at considering
concrete measures to redress our unique constraints emanating from our size, geography and
vulnerability.
Sincerity in facilitating the viable participation of our countries in international trade would
require among other things:WT/MIN(01)/ST/86
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1. Security of the non-reciprocal trade preferences which are indispensable for our
continued access to our few overseas markets.
2. More creative, meaningful and appropriate special and differential treatment.
3. The provision in the rules of the necessary policy flexibility permitting the use of
appropriate mechanisms to meet our development objectives.
The declarations circulated by the ACP Gr oup and by the SIDS and Small Developing
Economies need to guide the work of the WTO at this Conference and beyond.
It is true that the prospects are bleak but there have, in recent years, been some positive
advances in the WTO.  Not only has its membership expanded significantly but it certainly is more
inclusive than even a few years ago.  It is in this connection that my delegation welcomes the approval
yesterday of China's accession at the end of  its long fifteen (15) year journey.
My country cannot afford a resident mission in Geneva but recent administrative innovations,
such as Geneva Week and targeted communications to non-residents, help us feel that we are a part of
what is clearly becoming a universal body.  But of course, much more is still needed.  The WTO will
only be truly legitimate if it is inclusive and recognizes and seeks to reconcile the interests of all
Members.  True, my country is a very small Member which invariably would only make
proportionately modest demands on the system, at the same time, however, we who have so much atstake are determined to be more than cheerleaders but to contribute to the fullest of our ability.
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