. /.   WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  WT/MIN(09)/ST/15 
1 December 2009 
 (09-6069) 
MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE 
Seventh Session Geneva, 30 November - 2 December 2009 Original:   English 
 
  
MAURITIUS 
 
Statement by HE Mr S. B. C. Servansing
 
Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Mauritius  
  
Mauritius wishes to highlight the following critical issues and concerns. 
 
First, we forcefully reassert the centrality of the development dimension of the Doha Round.  
Against a background of current and looming crises , it is, indeed, more than imperative that the 
development mandate truly delivers and permeates all outcomes, i.e. the Round must translate into positive outcomes for our trade and trade balanc e, improvement of our productive and supply 
capacities and poverty reduction through increased em ployment and incomes of our people.  These 
are some of our yardsticks for a DDA outcome assessment. 
 
Any further delay in concluding the Round will continue to deprive our vulnerable economies 
of the development gains we legitimately aspire fro m the DDA.  Therefore, we adhere to calls for 
concluding the Round in 2010, since its expected tangible and pro-developm ent outcomes will be a 
rescue package for our economies, severely battere d by the unprecedented financial and economic 
crisis which has been thrust upon us. 
  The Doha Round has itself become a victim of the crisis.  Hence, our strong appeal to all 
major players to demonstrate requisite political will and leadership in ending the stalemate by 
bridging remaining gaps, thereby ensuring the deliv ery of a global good that will increase overall 
welfare and restore confidence in the inte rnational financial and economic systems. 
 
 Mauritius, as all ACP States, has a vital stake in  the Round.  We, therefore, reiterate that ACP 
concerns be duly addressed in all areas, including through trade-based and trade-related solutions to 
preference erosion in Agriculture and NAMA, a user-friendly SSM, SND treatment in Services, mandatory technical assistance provisions in Trade Facilitation and enhanced flexibilities in Fisheries 
Subsidies - and all this supported by adequate , predictable, country-led and WTO-monitored 
Aid for Trade.  At the same time, we need to ensu re that our obligations commensurate with our small 
share in world trade and level of development.  
As we call for an immediate activation of the stalled DDA negotiations for their timely 
conclusion, Mauritius and the ACP Group will main tain their constructive, problem-solving, 
cooperative and result-oriented approach, without which the 2010 deadline will again be lamentably 
missed.   However, the engagement by Members must be premised on ten key principles:  1. December 2008 texts to be the basis;  2. primacy of a transparent, inclusive and chair-driven 
multilateral process;  3. compliance with the agr eed mandates and sequencing;  4. no selective 
reopening of stabilized texts;  5. consensually -set agendas and no issue to be sidelined;  WT/MIN(09)/ST/15 
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  6. no surprises;  7. modalities before scheduling;  8. SND-based approach;  9. balance;  and 10. due 
regard to capacity constraints of small de legations.  This list is not exhaustive. 
 
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