ACT Welcomes WTO Development

Monday 2 Aug 2004

Ken Shirley Press Releases -- Foreign Affairs & Defence

ACT New Zealand Foreign Affairs and Trade Spokesman Ken Shirley today welcomed the prospect of fewer export subsides, as signalled at world trade talks in Geneva, but warned that progress towards full free trade was still some way off from becoming a reality.

"As an exporting nation - heavily dependent on primary production - New Zealand stands to benefit greatly from yesterday's development.

"Countries in the developing world are also likely to be big winners as it will be much easier to export goods such as cotton, sugar and rice to markets in North America and Europe.

"ACT New Zealand is committed to free trade among nations as it is a proven path to greater prosperity, freedom and political stability throughout the world.

"This is best illustrated by the fact that no two open and democratic trading nations have ever gone to war with each other," Mr Shirley said.

ENDS

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