India has expressed concern over slow progress made by developed countries in resolving WTO implementation issues and increasing subsidies, saying it could erode support for the multilateral trading system. "Doha and Mexico should not prepare the ground for another set of implementation issues. An impression is created that in matters of interest to developed countries, the work programme in WTO gets accelerated whereas in areas where developing countries have a lot of interest, progress tends to be slow and halting," Commerce and Industry Minister Murasoli Maran said.
Speaking at a special session of OECD Ministerial Council in Paris on the Doha Work Programme, Maran said "This trend should be corrected... Global trade majors who need to play important leading roles should act as role models. Otherwise it will send negative signals. It may also erode support for the multilateral trading system".

The minister said work programme on implementation issues should be given highest priority since there were indications that time-frame fixed for resolution of these issues may not be adhered to.
In respect of certain textile related issues, decision are due by July 31, 2002 and on certain other implementation proposals by December 31, 2002, he said. Bureau Report