WT/MIN(13)/ST/104  
 
28 January 2014  
(14-0472)  Page: 1/2  
Ministerial Conference 
Ninth Session 
Bali, 3-6 December 2013  Original: English  
 
 STATEMENT BY HON DORCAS MAKGATO-MALESU 
MINISTER OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY 
BOTSWANA  
Let me take this opportunity to express my delegation’s gratitude to the Government and the 
people of the Republic of Indonesia, for hosting this Ministerial Conference in an endeavour to advance the WTO work programme.  
There is a sense in which one can be excused for expressing some disappointment, given that we 
are not, as we speak, able to toast the successful conclusion of negotiations. This is particularly significant given that we had carved for ourselves a modest package consisting of Trade 
Facilitation, Agriculture and Development/LDCs issues. 
 The need to address the imbalance in the Multilateral Trading System remains urgent, and the goal 
of the Doha Development Agenda remains justifiable. This is more so that our economies continue 
to struggle to recover from the aftermath of the global economic and financial crisis. We, the small and vulnerable economies, face persistent challenges of high levels of unemployment, high inflation, and worsening debt situation amongst others. 
 
We have, for over a decade, looked forward to a Multilateral Trading System that could support our efforts in addressing these challenges. The re levance of the WTO in dealing with these global 
challenges cannot be overemphasized, and as such , our continued engagement and dedication to 
finding a solution to the current impasse remains strong. Our collective efforts, political leadership and consideration of one another’s critical needs and concerns remain key ingredients for the 
success of our future endeavours. 
 Let us be forthright and state that much is expected from those with greater capacity, developed or developing in the form of making co ncessions for the good of the majority. 
 
Aid-for-Trade remains critical in supporting developing countries in addressing the supply-side constraints and trade-related infrastructure defici encies. We would like to express our appreciation 
to the donor community for their continued support and call for the sustenance of this initiative. 
We commit ourselves to efforts geared towards the improvement in the delivery of this initiative.  
On development, as we engage to draw the Po st-2015 Development Agenda, the role of trade in 
contributing to sustainable development should be pr ominent. I, therefore, call on the WTO to play 
a proactive role in the formulation of the Agenda.  
Yes, we do not have a deal currently. But to expr ess deep-rooted pessimism is not only defeatist in 
nature, but also ignores tremendous efforts by all that went into the negotiations for a “Bali Package”. In this connection, the extraordinary efforts by the Director General contributed in no 
small measure. We would do ourselves much good by preserving the gains in order to build upon 
them now.  
As we engage, we should continue to uphold the key principles of full participation, inclusiveness, 
and transparency. Development should also remain the anchor of any further discussions.  WT/MIN(13)/ST/104 
 
- 2 - 
 
  There is no denying that ten (10) years is too long for the world to have remained the same. New 
challenges would have emerged. That as it may, the DDA mandate remains not only relevant but imperative.  
As I draw to a close, I make the obvious observat ion that Free Trade Agreements are proliferating, 
and we express apprehension that they may harm the multilateral trading system. Care needs to 
be taken that greater marginalization of the small and vulnerable does not occur through the 
imposition of WTO-plus obligations in FTAs. 
 In conclusion, let me reiterate Botswana’s commitment to the work program of the WTO. We stand ready to do our part within the limits of our capacity. 
 
__________