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Informal talks on Doha Round to be held in India in Sept

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-08-25 05:37

JOHANNESBURG: Informal talks will take place in India next month to revive the Doha trade talks, Indian Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma said here on Monday.

"We have taken the initiative and ministers reflective or representatives of a rainbow of countries... will meet in Delhi on September 3 and 4," Sharma said after talks held with South African Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies in Westcliffe, Johannesburg.

"The objective is to look at the process, to re-engage and re- energize the process which has been stalled for a long time," he said.

The Doha talks began in 2001 to help developing countries but were stalled last year after countries disagreed on proposed tariff and subsidy cuts.

Davies said his Indian counterpart had briefed South Africa on the "very important initiative" during the talks between the two countries on Monday.

"We definitely will be participating in that process. We believe that a successful outcome to the Doha round has got to be one that is faithful to the developmental mandate," Davies said.

Sharma said talks would also include fast-tracking negotiations on a preferential trade agreement to boost trade between India and countries in the Southern African Customs Union (SACU).

Davies and Sharma discussed trade relations between their countries.

While trade had tripled between the two economies from 2003 to 2007, Davies said more could be done.

The Bilateral Investment Protection and Promotion Agreement was also discussed. The meeting suggested plans for a state visit to India by South African President Jacob Zuma early next year.

Sharma indicated that Monday's talks were the first substantive engagement between the two governments after elections were held in both countries.

He added that a target had been set to increase trade between India and South Africa to $12 billion by 2010.

"We hope that given the potential and opportunities in both countries it will expand even further," he said.