Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
10ACCRA97
2010-02-02 12:24:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Accra
Cable title:
DOHA DEMARCHE: GHANA PREFERS MULTILATERAL DISCUSSIONS
how-toVZCZCXRO4089 RR RUEHMA RUEHPA DE RUEHAR #0097 0331224 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 021224Z FEB 10 FM AMEMBASSY ACCRA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8859 INFO RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHDC RUEHRC/DEPT OF AGRICULTURE WASHDC 0119 RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC 0730 RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS ACCRA 000097
SIPDIS
EEB/TPP/MTA FOR CRAFT
WHITEHOUSE FOR USTR; ATTN: KIRK, SHARK
FAS FOR ITP, MTND
USDOC FOR ITA
DEPT OF TREASURY FOR YUAN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR ECON EINV ETRD GH
SUBJECT: DOHA DEMARCHE: GHANA PREFERS MULTILATERAL DISCUSSIONS
REF: STATE 123787
UNCLAS ACCRA 000097
SIPDIS
EEB/TPP/MTA FOR CRAFT
WHITEHOUSE FOR USTR; ATTN: KIRK, SHARK
FAS FOR ITP, MTND
USDOC FOR ITA
DEPT OF TREASURY FOR YUAN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR ECON EINV ETRD GH
SUBJECT: DOHA DEMARCHE: GHANA PREFERS MULTILATERAL DISCUSSIONS
REF: STATE 123787
1. SUMMARY. Econoffs met with GOG trade officials to discuss the
recent WTO Ministerial Conference (Reftel). Director of
Multilateral, Regional and Bilateral Trade Clement Nyaaba
appreciated Post initiating the conversation and agreed that the
impasse at the conference was "disturbing." He expressed his desire
to see multilateral talks happen between now and the 2011
Ministerial Conference, as opposed to bilateral talks, to make the
conference more effective. Remarking on the Doha Development Round
meeting, Nyaaba asked which agricultural text should be used as a
basis for talks, adding that the latest text introduced was not
necessarily the best one. Post also transmitted USTR's request for
a TIFA meeting during the week of April 11, and Nyaaba said he would
discuss the date with Minister Tetteh. END SUMMARY.
2. Econoffsmet the Director of Multilateral, Regional and
Bilateral Trade in the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Clement
Nyaaba. He affirmed the positive role of the WTO, particularly the
Aid for Trade program. In future negotiations, he wishes to see
increased market access for Ghanaian goods and a greater commitment
from the United States, though he did not offer any specifics on
these issues. In response to the USG request for help in getting a
Doha agreement with the G-77, he noted that countries like Ghana do
not have adequate leverage over rapidly growing economies like India
and China. Nyaaba appreciated Post initiating the conversation and
agreed that the impasse at the conference was "disturbing." He
favored WTO members holding multilateral discussions in advance of
the next Ministerial Conference in order to identify a common
starting point for negotiations. Nyaaba preferred a multilateral
forum to the bilateral meetings that are currently taking place
because they offer greater transparency. He remarked that he was
anxious of bilateral solutions being imposed upon Ghana without GOG
input.
3. Nyaaba said the Doha Development Round (DDR) needed "new life."
Remarking on the roadmap meeting, he asked where countries were
supposed to restart from, and which agriculture text they should
use, with a caveat that the latest text introduced was not
necessarily the best one.
4. Post and the GOG have been trying to arrange a date for Trade
and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) discussions. Post
transmitted USTR's proposal for the week of April 11. Nyaaba was
optimistic that the dates would be acceptable, but said that he
would need to confirm them with the Minister Tetteh. Post suggested
an advance meeting to review the agenda and prepare for a more
meaningful discussion. Nyaaba agreed and expressed interest in
maintaining dialogue. He also said that he has convened a TIFA
National Implementation Committee consisting of GOG economic
agencies and relevant members of Parliament.
5. Post raised the issue of trade barriers in West Africa and
between Nigeria and Ghana as a concern of U.S. firms operating in
Ghanaian free zones. Nyaaba agreed that trade barriers were a
problem, and said the GOG is actively working within ECOWAS and in
their bilateral relationship with Nigeria to enhance trade
opportunities, and that President Mills himself has engaged with
Nigeria on the subject. He mentioned an ECOWAS investment protocol
that "no one wants to implement." In spite of the many difficulties
they have encountered, he said the GOG now "has a road map" to a
resolution. He also agreed with Econoffs that GOG Free Zone rules
of origin "don't make sense." (COMMENT: Washington may want to
consider adding this to the TIFA agenda if there is agency interest
in reviewing GOG rules of origin for Free Zone companies. END
COMMENT.)
6. COMMENT: Although still an office director, Nyaaba has recently
returned from years serving as the WTO officer in the Ghanaian
mission to Geneva. Ghana still has a shallow bench when it comes to
trade policy, and Nyaaba is a key player in the formulation of GOG
trade policy. END COMMENT.
TEITELBAUM
SIPDIS
EEB/TPP/MTA FOR CRAFT
WHITEHOUSE FOR USTR; ATTN: KIRK, SHARK
FAS FOR ITP, MTND
USDOC FOR ITA
DEPT OF TREASURY FOR YUAN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR ECON EINV ETRD GH
SUBJECT: DOHA DEMARCHE: GHANA PREFERS MULTILATERAL DISCUSSIONS
REF: STATE 123787
1. SUMMARY. Econoffs met with GOG trade officials to discuss the
recent WTO Ministerial Conference (Reftel). Director of
Multilateral, Regional and Bilateral Trade Clement Nyaaba
appreciated Post initiating the conversation and agreed that the
impasse at the conference was "disturbing." He expressed his desire
to see multilateral talks happen between now and the 2011
Ministerial Conference, as opposed to bilateral talks, to make the
conference more effective. Remarking on the Doha Development Round
meeting, Nyaaba asked which agricultural text should be used as a
basis for talks, adding that the latest text introduced was not
necessarily the best one. Post also transmitted USTR's request for
a TIFA meeting during the week of April 11, and Nyaaba said he would
discuss the date with Minister Tetteh. END SUMMARY.
2. Econoffsmet the Director of Multilateral, Regional and
Bilateral Trade in the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Clement
Nyaaba. He affirmed the positive role of the WTO, particularly the
Aid for Trade program. In future negotiations, he wishes to see
increased market access for Ghanaian goods and a greater commitment
from the United States, though he did not offer any specifics on
these issues. In response to the USG request for help in getting a
Doha agreement with the G-77, he noted that countries like Ghana do
not have adequate leverage over rapidly growing economies like India
and China. Nyaaba appreciated Post initiating the conversation and
agreed that the impasse at the conference was "disturbing." He
favored WTO members holding multilateral discussions in advance of
the next Ministerial Conference in order to identify a common
starting point for negotiations. Nyaaba preferred a multilateral
forum to the bilateral meetings that are currently taking place
because they offer greater transparency. He remarked that he was
anxious of bilateral solutions being imposed upon Ghana without GOG
input.
3. Nyaaba said the Doha Development Round (DDR) needed "new life."
Remarking on the roadmap meeting, he asked where countries were
supposed to restart from, and which agriculture text they should
use, with a caveat that the latest text introduced was not
necessarily the best one.
4. Post and the GOG have been trying to arrange a date for Trade
and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) discussions. Post
transmitted USTR's proposal for the week of April 11. Nyaaba was
optimistic that the dates would be acceptable, but said that he
would need to confirm them with the Minister Tetteh. Post suggested
an advance meeting to review the agenda and prepare for a more
meaningful discussion. Nyaaba agreed and expressed interest in
maintaining dialogue. He also said that he has convened a TIFA
National Implementation Committee consisting of GOG economic
agencies and relevant members of Parliament.
5. Post raised the issue of trade barriers in West Africa and
between Nigeria and Ghana as a concern of U.S. firms operating in
Ghanaian free zones. Nyaaba agreed that trade barriers were a
problem, and said the GOG is actively working within ECOWAS and in
their bilateral relationship with Nigeria to enhance trade
opportunities, and that President Mills himself has engaged with
Nigeria on the subject. He mentioned an ECOWAS investment protocol
that "no one wants to implement." In spite of the many difficulties
they have encountered, he said the GOG now "has a road map" to a
resolution. He also agreed with Econoffs that GOG Free Zone rules
of origin "don't make sense." (COMMENT: Washington may want to
consider adding this to the TIFA agenda if there is agency interest
in reviewing GOG rules of origin for Free Zone companies. END
COMMENT.)
6. COMMENT: Although still an office director, Nyaaba has recently
returned from years serving as the WTO officer in the Ghanaian
mission to Geneva. Ghana still has a shallow bench when it comes to
trade policy, and Nyaaba is a key player in the formulation of GOG
trade policy. END COMMENT.
TEITELBAUM