Minister To Attend 8th WTO Ministerial Conference In Geneva

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 14 (Bernama) -- International Trade and Industry Minister Mustapa Mohamed will attend the Eighth World Trade Organisation (WTO) Ministerial Conference from Thursday till Saturday in Geneva. The ministry said the conference is the highest decision-making body under WTO which meets every two years to review WTO work and make decisions on matters related to multilateral trade agreements. At Thursday's meeting, trade ministers are expected to discuss the importance of multilateral trading system, trade and development issues and consider new approaches to conclude the Doha Round negotiations. "Malaysia has been actively participating in the Doha Round negotiations and has been seeking greater market access for Malaysian exports and strengthening multilateral trade rules. "The conference will also formally accept the accessions of Russia, Samoa and Montenegro to WTO," the ministry said in a statement. The ministry said a successful conclusion of the Doha Round would help check protectionism and facilitate global economic recovery. Meanwhile, Mustapa will make a two-day working visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia from Sunday, The visits will take him to two major cities, namely Dubai in the UAE and Dammam in Saudi Arabia. Mustapa will promote trade and investment opportunities in Malaysia during his meeting with top corporate figures and investors in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Between January and October, Malaysia’s bilateral trade with the UAE jumped 15.1 per cent to US$5.8 billion from US$5 billion in the same period last year. Total trade between Malaysia and Saudi Arabia rose 47 per cent, hitting US$3.454 billion, in the same period compared with US$2.205 billion last year. -- BERNAMA Malaysia