There is widespread concern at the lack of concrete results so far, and Europe will certainly want to see a renewed effort. Investment indeed seems to me the top priority for WTO in the years ahead. Investment brings benefits to all. It is also an issue which is primarily for the WTO because it involves the development of an appropriate framework of binding rules. We should be under no illusion that all firms, whatever their size, prefer to invest in large and secure markets.
Bigger countries have no problem attracting funds.
But many small and medium-sized countries need a secure legal environment to attract their fair share of investment capital. WTO rules will help provide the necessary underpinning. On competition, I welcome the recognition of developed and developing countries alike that better competition rules are essential to a prosperous world economy. Like the rules-based system of WTO itself, good competition rules protect the weak against the abuse of the strong. In the long run they will benefit us all.