RI to Push For Fair Trade At WTO Meeting

Denpasar (Antara Bali) - The Indonesian government will push for fair and balanced global trade when the World Trade Organization (WTO) convenes its conference in Bali in December this year, a Trade Ministry official said.

"We will propose fair and balanced trade to better give developing nations a chance to contribute more to the WTO. Don`t let developing nations be hampered because of various obstacles," Director General of International Trade Cooperation of the Trade Ministry Imam Pambagyo said here on Wednesday.

In general, developing countries are facing lack of skilled human resources and infrastructures, including ports, airports, and customs systems, he noted.

In the absence of fair and balanced trade, several types of products from developed nations will continue to flood developing nations, he said.

"There must be rules allowing all WTO members have an equal and fair chance. The proposal needs serious discussions to protect developing countries against developed nations` free trade system," he said.

Indonesia itself will prepare mechanism, regulations and standardization in the face of the free trade era, he said.

Meanwhile, assistant II to the Bali provincial secretary Ketut Wija said Indonesia needs to adopt a number of standards as part of efforts to protect local products against the onslaught of foreign goods.

In the era of free trade foreign expatriates, including doctors, lawyers, and nurses can work anywhere, he said.

"Indonesia must set certain standards. For instance, foreign expatriates must speak Indonesian language well. If they work in Bali, they must study Balinese culture and so on," he said. (*/M038)