UNCTAD
Mr. Rubens Ricupero
Secretary-General
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CUBA
The Hon. Mr. Raul de la Nuez
Minister of Commerce |
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 Developing countries have become the most dynamic force in the growth of the world economy and trade. There is no doubt that the new locomotive of the international economy and the gate for a new push in the world trade will be the developing countries.
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 Cuba reiterates its full support for the launching of this new round of negotiations, which is taking place in the context of this important UNCTAD XI. We also express our determination to work towards reactivating the system and attaining its objectives, which we consider valid in the present international context.
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EGYPT
H.E. Ms. Naela Gabr
Ambassador, Geneva |
INDIA
H.E. Mr. Hardeep S. Puri
Ambassador, Geneva |
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Mr. President, the reason for the Third Round of GSTP negotiations is to liberalize trade amongst the countries of the South. It goes without saying that we face challenges around us, including globalization.
All these require countries of the South to show their seriousness in carrying out a pioneering role in the multilateral trading system to improve and increase benefits from the Global System of Trade Preferences among Developing Countries and to avoid all the negative aspects that have appeared in this system so far. |
 The Ministerial Meeting on the Global System of Trade Preferences among Developing Countries held in New Delhi in 1985 was a turning point in the establishment of a system to exchange concessions among developing countries. One year later, Ministers and Heads of delegations of 48 developing countries assembled in Brazil to sign the final act of the launching of the First Round of negotiations of the GSTP, which was then concluded in Belgrade in 1988. It is propitious that we should meet after 18 years again in Brazil, this time to launch the Third Round of GSTP negotiations.
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INDONESIA
H.E. Mr. Eddi Hariyadhi
Ambassador, Geneva |
NIGERIA
The Hon. Mr. Adamu Danjuma Idris Waziri
Minister of Commerce |
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 We continue to attach great importance to the enhancement of South-South cooperation including through the promotion of trade among developing countries. Therefore since the establishment of the GSTP in 1989 we have been continuously convinced that it can serve as a framework to harness the enormous potential in expanding and improving trade among developing countries.
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 Nigeria is deeply committed to the promotion of South-South cooperation and therefore welcomes the decision to launch a new round of GSTP negotiations which will give practical effects to our desire for closer ties among developing countries especially in the area of trade. By these means, we will also be lending impetus to the new geography of world trade, which was highlighted several times in the course of the ongoing UNCTAD XI.
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SRI LANKA
The Hon. Mr. Jeyaraj Fernandopulle
Minister of Trade, Commerce and Consumer Affairs |
THAILAND
H.E. Mr. Chaiyong Satjipanon
Ambassador, Geneva |
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 Mr. Chairman, the GSTP should be seen as an instrument available to enhance South-South cooperation and to generate additional trading opportunities among developing countries. This has received extensive endorsement and increased attention in the recent debate on international trade.
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 Thailand has been an active member of the GSTP Agreement since its inception in 1988. We feel that developing countries can complement each other in their developmental efforts, and the enhancement of South-South trade would help to promote progress and mutual benefits among the countries of the South.
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TUNISIA
The Hon. Mr. Slaheddine Makhlouf
Secretary of State, Ministry of Commerce |
VENEZUELA
H.E. Blancanieves Portocarrero
Ambassador, Geneva |
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 In his message addressed to the South Summit of the Group of 77 and China which took place in Havana in April 2000, President Ben Ali underscored Tunisia’s commitment to fostering such a trade with the developing countries and to launch an appeal for the identification of means that are conducive to revitalizing negotiations in the framework of the Global System of Trade Preferences.
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 Venezuela welcomes the fact that in the context of the UNCTAD XI Conference, we are launching the Third Round of the Global System of Trade Preferences among developing countries, with view to ensuring significant reductions in barriers among the countries of the South and ensuring more favourable treatment for the less developed countries that require our cooperation and solidarity in keeping with the principle of mutual advantages that would equitably benefit all Participants.
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VIET NAM
The Hon. Mr. Tran Duc Minh
Vice-Minister of Trade |
PRESIDENT
COMMITTEE OF PARTICIPANTS
(2003-2004)
H.E. Mr. Alfredo Chiaradia (Argentina)
Ambassador |
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Viet Nam strongly believes that the Third Round of negotiations will successfully bring greater benefits to all GSTP Participants. It is expected that the Third Round would deepen and broaden commitments in terms of concessions of member countries to each other so that we can fully benefit from the system.
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 Mr. Chairman, precisely because we are aware of the fact that developing countries are significantly benefiting from the integration processes at the regional and subregional level, we are convinced that the main value of the GSTP is represented by its potential when it comes to interregional trade links i.e. between Africa, Asia and Latin America. Trade statistics, which have been pointed out by you and by the Secretary-General, show clearly the growing importance of South-South trade, and it is clear that the GSTP would speed up and deepen trade cooperation between the three regions.
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