Bahrain supports e-trading system talks

Agencies | Geneva           

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain welcomes discussions related to e-commerce, digital economy and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) as a prior condition to creating a fair and open trade environment. It is in light of the recognition of inclusive trade through the World Trade Organization (WTO) as a catalyst for economic growth and poverty reduction.

This was emphasised by Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, Zayed bin Rashid Al Zayani, as he headed Bahrain’s delegation participating in the 12th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organisation, held in Geneva from June 12 to 15.

Present were Ambassador Dr Yusuf AbdulKarim Bucheeri, the Permanent Representative of Bahrain to the UN, and Assistant Undersecretary for Domestic and Foreign Trade, Shaikh Hamad bin Salman Al Khalifa.

Al Zayani pointed out the efforts being made to promote sustainable development through the UN Plan 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals accompanying it. He also stressed the importance of not putting obstacles to the movement of food commodities in the face of the global food security crisis.

In the same context, the minister noted Bahrain’s unwavering support for the Arab states currently negotiating their accession to the WTO and for granting the status of “observer” in the WTO to the Arab League. A number of topics on the agenda of the meeting were discussed.