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In the run-up to World Trade Organization (WTO) a high level ministerial
conference, in Hong Kong, on the Doha Development Agenda the International
Chamber of Shipping (ICS) distributed a leaflet, outlining the importance of
the maritime services negotiations, to national WTO negotiators through
ICS’s global membership of national shipowners’ associations
ICS Secretary, Simon Bennett said: “The Conference itself is not expected to
make huge progress, not least due to difficulties on agriculture. But the
maritime services negotiations are almost certain to continue next year, and
it is important that the negotiators understand the importance of codifying,
and building on, existing best practices in the shipping industry, which is
already very liberalised.”
He added “It is vital that the WTO appreciates the importance to global
trade of an efficient international shipping industry, and that shipping
does not become the subject of horse trading for concessions on other
issues. We believe this is unlikely, and we are pleased by the stance being
taken by many major trading nations, especially the so called ‘Friends of
Maritime’ Group. But there must be no hint of permitting a return to
unacceptable measures, such as widespread cargo reservation for national
operators, or discrimination against visiting ships when charging for port
services.”
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