India today came out with an eight-point agenda asking developed countries to move away from the traditional pattern in WTO talks and bring about a level-playing field in the global trading system.‘‘We need to break from the traditional pattern of developed countries seeking special carve-outs and protection on grounds of their so-called sensitivity in areas like agriculture, textiles, Mode 4 (movement of professionals) and outsourcing of services,’’ India’s ambassador and permanent representative to the UN Hardip Puri said.Listing out a strategy at the UNCTAD XI meeting at Sao Paulo, Puri said trade rules should give better access to labour-intensive exports of goods and services of developing countries and more scope to the mobility of labour in developing countries.Asserting that trade could contribute to reducing poverty in developing nations, he said poverty-sensitive export sectors of such countries should be promoted through enhanced and predictable access in premium markets.‘‘Developing countries must get better and higher returns from their exports of commodities, manufactures and services, including through trade and investment synergies that facilitate increased value addition,’’ the statement said.Pointing at UNCTAD’s thrust towards increasing developing countries’ participation in dynamic new sectors, Puri said that there must be an end to the untenable situation whereby developed countries demand the market forces should freely determine trade flows while at the same time resort to trade distorting interventions.‘‘The trading system and associated trade rules must reflect that global enterprises have a particular responsibility towards investment in broader economic and social development and in the nurturing of developing countries’ markets for the present and future,’’ he said.
