CPD Organises Session at the WTO Forum 2012

CPD organised a session on Least-developed Countries at the Crossroads: Status Quo or Sustainable Development at the WTO Forum 2012 on 24 September 2012 in Geneva, Switzerland. The session was moderated by Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya, Chairman, LDC IV Monitor and Distinguished Fellow, CPD along with Mr Josip Pervan, Senior Policy Advisor, IDEAS Centre. Under the sub-theme of Formulating New Approaches to Multilateral Trade Opening the session concentrated upon two key areas which include diversification of export base and the opening up of new export markets; and creating a predictable and transparent economic framework. Dr Vinaye Dey Ancharaz, Senior Development Economist, International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development (ICTSD); Ambassador Nicolas Imboden, Executive Director, IDEAS Centre; Dr Jaime de Melo, Senior Fellow, Foundation for International Development Study and Research (FERDI) and Professor Mustafizur Rahman, Executive Director, CPD made presentations at the session. Summing up the session, Dr Bhattacharya said, the concept of diversification differs from country to country and the LDCs should keep in mind their heterogeneities where landlocked, small island states are also included. He identified structural impediment as the common feature of the LDCs.