Brussels, 27/01/2012 (Agence Europe) - The maxim is not so much “God helps those that help themselves” but rather “trade and you shall develop”! New courses of action were presented by the European Commission on 26 January aimed at making trade a powerful lever for growth and the fight against poverty. This is a new stage in the attempt to reinforce “the trade capacities of developing countries by making trade part of their development strategy” in order to “stimulate growth and lift people out of poverty”, the Commission underlines in its communication. Adopted by written procedure, the Commission communication demonstrates the resolve to establish a differentiation between the developing countries and to set in place policies that go beyond reduction of customs duties to tackle improvements in the trading environment. The communication complements the “Agenda for Change” recently proposed by the Commission so that, after 2013, EU development policy focuses EU support on countries that need it the most (therefore emerging countries will not be concerned by this but will be offered a new kind of partnership), in sectors essential to inclusive and sustainable growth and in relation to human rights (see EUROPE 10511 and 10473). “The rise of emerging economies like India, China and Brazil shows that trade-driven development is possible and that open markets can play a major role in generating growth. Yet those trailing behind need help. World tariffs have never been this low and the EU already offers very favourable market access to poor countries. What will make a difference are non-tariff issues - such as standards, services, intellectual property rights, public procurement, infrastructure and packaging facilities. None of this can work without political governance”, Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht summed up.
The Commission therefore suggests: - reform of preferential trade schemes to focus more on the poorest countries; - stepping up of negotiations on free trade agreements with developing country partners; - the rapid conclusion of European partnership agreements (EPA) with African countries; - the increased use of EU instruments for promoting foreign direct investment, including specific provisions in free trade agreements to enhance legal security and couple EU subsidies to loans or venture capital; - aid to exporters of developing countries to gain access to EU markets; - aid for improving developing countries' domestic business environment, and meeting international quality, labour and environmental standards; - and greater use of trade measures to help mitigate the effects of natural disasters and tackle conflict catalysts, including in mining activities. The Commission also invites emerging economies to open up their markets to the least advanced countries via preferential schemes, but also on a non-discriminatory basis towards the rest of the WTO membership, of which 80% are developing countries. (AN/transl.jl)