January 29, 2002
'16'
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND CAPACITY BUILDING IMPORTANT FOR DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
NETHERLANDS MINISTER CALLS ON MARAN
Technical assistance and capacity building has been envisaged in the Doha Declaration and this is important for developing countries in respect of Singapore issues. In the context of Doha Work Programme, technical assistance is necessary to enable the developing countries to identify negotiating interests and options and also to evaluate properly the implications of multilateral framework on various issues. This was stated by Shri Murasoli Maran, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, when Netherlands Minister for Development Cooperation, Ms. Eveline Herfkens, called on him here today.
Shri Maran cautioned that in the garb of providing technical assistance and capacity building, undue interference in the domestic policy making of developing countries should be avoided. He emphasised that providing technical assistance and capacity building should include training of participants of developing countries and LDCs to understand the implications of multilateral agreements and development funds should be provided to LDCs for the same. The visiting Minister agreed that technical assistance is necessary for developing countries and expressed concern regarding developed countries stance on standards like environment, labour etc. Shri Maran underlined the fact that the developing countries were able to highlight their concerns forcefully and successfully at Doha and said that economic realities of developing countries are entirely different from those of developed countries. Shri Maran raised the issue of high tariffs on Indian flowers with the visiting Minister upon which she assured to look into it positively.
Ms. Herfkens informed that Netherlands is convening a meeting of prominent developing countries in April regarding Doha Work Programme and requested Shri Maran to attend.