WTO Members Agree Gita Wirjawan To Chair Ministerial Meeting

Jakarta, June 5 (Antara) - Members of World Trade Organization (WTO) during General Council meeting last June 4 agreed that Indonesia`s Trade Minister Gita Irawan Wirjawan to chair the Ninth Ministerial Conference to be held in Bali, December 3-6, 2013. The General Council will formally elect the full slate of officers for the Conference, including the vice-chairs, at its next meeting in July, a press statement published in the organization`s official website here on Wednesday said. During the meeting, Indonesia said that its task force on the logistical arrangements for the Conference, together with counterparts from the WTO Secretariat, would make a presentation to delegations on 6 June 2013. It also invited delegations to view an exhibit on Bali Island at the new building extension of the WTO. Earlier Minister Gita Wirjawan said the focus of WTO ministerial meeting in Bali will be on issues such as trade facilitation, negotiation related to agricultural sector and the interest of least developed countries (LDC). He emphasized the importance of Bali meeting which is expected to be able to agreed on small packages beneficial for all WTO members. The minister expressed hope that the agreement reached in Bali meeting can be a stepping stone towards the settlement of Doha Round Negotiation.