Dionne Rose, Staff Reporter

Pascal Lamy (right), director general of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), greets CARICOM Secretary General Edwin Carrington before the start of a meeting with CARICOM trade ministers yesterday at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel, New Kingston. - Norman Grindley/ Deputy Chief Photographer

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) could have its demands met for concessions in the current Doha Round of free-trade negotiations, according to Pascal Lamy, director general of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

While responding to queries from journalists after meeting with CARICOM trade ministers at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston, yesterday, Mr. Lamy said there was recognition by the 150 member countries of the WTO that small economies are more vulnerable than more developed countries.

"That is recognised and this will - in my view, at the end of the day, and again I am no negotiator - will translate into specific flexibilities for small and vulnerable economies," he said.

Worldwide tour

The WTO director general's visit to the island is specifically to consult with CARICOM trade ministers as part of a worldwide tour intended to speed up the previously stalled Doha Round.

Despite Mr. Lamy's comments, CARICOM trade expert Ambassador Richard Bernal saidit was too early to say whether the region would likely get what it wants.

"We are constantly engaged and we are following all the negotiations but it is too early to make any comment whether we are happy or not or whether anything is settled," Ambassador Bernal said. "The only thing to say is that the region is fully engaged in the process and this is a chance to reiterate our position to the Director General."

Ambassador Bernal is also director general of the Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery.

Mr. Lamy also complimented CARICOM's unified stance in the negotiations and said that Doha, which is intended to ensure greater sustainable development in world trade, was now gathering "political momentum".

The Caribbean is demanding differential and preferential treatments on bananas and sugar, produced in member countries.

He disclosed that, following a meeting in New Delhi, India this week, trade ministers of the G-6 group of countries, which include the European Union (EU), Brazil, India, Australia, the United States and Japan, agreed to reach consensus by the end of the year.

The Doha Round had collapsed last July because of deep divisions over farm trade between major powers such as the G-6. However Mr. Lamy told The Gleaner yesterday it was likely that this timeline could be achieved.

He was quick to point out however that the issue was not on timing but on "substance".

Meanwhile, Senator Anthony Hylton, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, said the G-6's recent pronouncements were significant. He however noted that the region would have to be very alert.

dionne.rose@gleanerjm.com