Singapore wants to host WTO

Singapore wants to host WTO

SINGAPORE (Reuter): Singapore said yesterday it had told the United States and other GATT members of its offer to host the first meeting of the World Trade Organization (WTO) next year, denying comments by U.S. Trade Representative Mickey Kantor.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs disputed Kantor's comment during an interview with Reuters in Paris that "Singapore has never even contacted us in this regard."

The ministry said in a statement: "Singapore's Permanent Representative to the U.N. in Geneva, Ambassador K. Kesavapany, has made known to all GATT contracting parties, including the United States, Singapore's offer."

In Paris, OECD ministers undertook yesterday to ensure that the WTO will be established on the Jan. 1, 1995, target date.

They also undertook to implement on schedule the new trading rules and liberalization commitments contained in the Uruguay Round world trade pact, and to "resist protectionism in all its forms."