Nigeria decries non transparency of WTO

Gbola Subair, Abuja - 08.04.2008

THE Federal Government has decried the non transparency of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) as it faulted the numerous trades inhibiting bureaucracy. Minister of Commerce and Industry, Engr. Charles C Ugwu, said this on Monday while declaring open a workshop on the WTO Trade facilitation, national self assessment, Nigeria’s needs and priorities in Abuja

He said Nigeria shared the concerns on lack of internal transparency and the non participation of developing countries in decision making process in the WTO.

Disclosing that lack of internal transparency, participation and democracy constituted significant implications for sustaining mutual trust, the minister said it must be realized that trading was so central to national survival.

He said the WTO, which prided itself as a rule based organisation and for championing the principles of transparency, non discrimination and procedural fairness must do something in these areas

Nigeria, he said, would continue to support concrete proposals that would produce the necessary reforms to address existing imbalances in ensuring that the economic aspirations were enhanced, protected and sustained.