The prime ministers of Bangladesh, Thailand and Former Prime Minister of India will join WTO Director General Dr Supachai Panitchpakdi at a conference here in January to bolster a revival of global trade talks.

The conference, titled Global Economic Governance and Challenges of Multilateralism is being organized by ICC Bangladesh.

ICC Secretary General Maria Livanos Cattaui, who will attend the meeting, said the conference could not be more timely.

"With the recent failure of trade talks in Cancun, this conference in Dhaka will be exactly the shot in the arm that the multilateral trading system needs," she said. "ICC throws its full weight behind the efforts of the World Trade Organization members to reach a successful conclusion of the Doha Development Round.

"It is hoped that this conference, with its impressive line-up of regional business and political leaders will go a long way to achieving that end."

The conference will be opened by Bangladesh Prime Minister, Begum Khaleda Zia, MP, and will bring together over 300 delegates from more than 27 countries including Australia, Turkey, Russia, Togo, China, Japan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Prime Minister of Thailand Dr Thaksin Shinawatra and Former Prime Minister of India, Mr I.K. Gujral will also be participating in the opening session, with Dr Supachai who is expected to share his thoughts on what is required to revitalize global trade talks.

Other delegates include prominent business leaders, government officials, policy-makers and other eminent experts on free market economy, who will converge to discuss the challenges facing world trade since the recent failure of the WTO meeting in Cancun, Mexico.

Trade Ministers for Turkey, Thailand, Sri-Lanka, Indonesia and Bangladesh have also confirme d their presence at the conference. Other invited guests include UNCTAD Secretary General Rubens Ricupero, Swedish Minister for International Development Cooperation Carin J¤mtin, and Trade Ministers for Australia, Malaysia and Malawi.

Chairman of ICC Bangladesh, Mahbubur Rahman said "We are extremely proud to be hosting this conference in celebration of ICC's 10th year of presence in Bangladesh. The conference will provide the perfect opportunity for delegates to share views and policy on matters relating to all aspects of world trade."

Links

Conference programme

List of speakers

ICC Bangladesh