. /.   WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  WT/MIN(09)/ST/45 
1 December 2009 
 (09-6120) 
MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE 
Seventh Session Geneva, 30 November - 2 December 2009 Original:   English 
 
  
BARBADOS 
 
Statement by Senator the Honourable Maxine P.O. McClean
 
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade  
   Mr Chairman, let me begin by congratulating you on your election to the Chair of this Seventh Ministerial Conference. 
 
 Undoubtedly, this is one of the most challenging times in world trade and finance, as the global economy is undergoing many significant changes.  Since our last Conference in Hong Kong, in 2005 there have been unprecedented and volatile ch anges in oil prices, alarming increases in food 
prices and a major financial crisis, among other worri some developments.  These have all culminated 
in a world recession that has resulted in the stunning  collapse of many major corporations the world 
over.  We have also witnessed an upsurge of government intervention and the re-emergence of 
protectionism, particularly in  some developed countries. 
  These events have placed in jeopardy and, in so me instances, derailed the development efforts 
of many developing countries, including small vulnerable economies like ours.  We have witnessed 
increasing levels of unemployment, growing budget de ficits and declines in international reserves.  
Some of us have been unable to raise funds on cap ital markets and have had no choice but to seek the 
assistance of the International Monetary Fund.  The e ffects of the global financial crisis have further 
underscored the vulnerability of our small economies.   These developments have brought into sharp fo cus the urgent need to successfully conclude 
the Doha Development Round.  We, the Members of th is Organization, stand indicted for our failure 
to discharge the responsibility assigned to us at Doha some eight years ago.  This failure is in part 
explained by the self-serving actions of some Memb ers, particularly a few developed countries. 
  The financial crisis has underscored the inte rdependence of all countries - developed and 
developing alike.  Any crisis that affects a majo r country or a group of such countries will impact 
negatively on other countries, especially the developing ones.   Developed countries therefore ha ve a responsibility to the international community to ensure 
that in the management of their economies, and in  their trade negotiations, they exercise the utmost 
prudence and care. 
  The record reveals that world leaders have r eaffirmed their commitment to the conclusion of 
the Doha Round.  This commitment, however, has not been translated into meaningful engagement in 
Geneva.  I wish to remind this Body that for us a successful conclusion of the Round is one in which 
development is centrally placed.  This means that, c onsistent with what Ministers agreed in Doha in 
2001, the development dimension must be central to  all aspects of the negotiations and, as mandated, WT/MIN(09)/ST/45 
Page 2  
 
  that the trade-related concerns of Small, Vulner able Economies are addressed in all areas.  Without 
such, the results would be meaningless for us.   Throughout the past eight years of negotiati ons Barbados and othe r small economies have 
been articulating their needs consistent with th eir development thrusts.  These include effective 
market access, the right to protect our most vulnerabl e sectors, and the importance of "Aid for Trade".  
In pursuit of the foregoing, Barbados, as the Coor dinator of the Small Vulnerable Economies (SVEs) 
Group, has tabled a number of vitally important proposals.   Some of these strategic interventions have been  reflected in the current draft Agriculture and 
NAMA texts which provide some flexibilities for SVEs in terms of the tariff reductions.  There are, 
however, no provisions for technical assistance and capacity building for SVEs.  While Barbados is 
comforted by the progress made in securing certain flexibilities for these countries we believe that a 
more enhanced market access framework can be obtained.  
 Related to this access is the capacity to shie ld vulnerable sectors and fledgling industries from 
the vagaries and the direct impact of trade libera lization.  Barbados also believes that, given the 
peculiar characteristics of this group of countries, SVEs should be afforded the necessary flexibility to 
manage and direct their economic development pr ocess.  We sincerely hope that our developed 
partners would be sympathetic  to our needs and concerns. 
 
 Aid for Trade will also have a critical role  to play as we fashion and shape our own 
architecture for economic development.   It is now some four years since trade ministers mandated that Aid for Trade be examined.  We wish to acknowledge the progress that has been made and the leadership of the WTO in this area.  
However for Barbados, Aid for Trade should include, but not be limited to, the provision of financial 
and technical assistance to developing countri es to assist them in removing the bottlenecks 
confronting them in their economic development ef forts, thus enabling these countries to successfully 
integrate into the global economy.  Developing countries firmly believe that Aid for Trade should not be a "carrot and stick" policy.  
 We will not
 submit to Aid for Trade being used as a conditionality to force developing 
countries to agree to any negotiating positions inconsistent with our development needs. 
  [In addition, Aid for Trade resources should not constitute funds redirected from other social 
and development aid.  Barbados strongly be lieves that the recommendations of the WTO 
Aid-for-Trade Task Force should be implemented i rrespective of the outcome of the Doha Round.  
The Aid-for-Trade mandate is too critical to be ignored or made conditional on other outcomes.] 
  We meet at a critical juncture in internationa l economic affairs.  The whole world is eagerly 
and, may I say, critically watching us.  
 We cannot
 afford to disappoint.  Let us bravely and genuinely commit ourselves to providing 
appropriate and effective solutions to the trade a nd economic problems confronting us.  Posterity will 
not be lenient on us if we fail!  
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