WTO talks in UAE end with no major win, throwing trade body into ‘crisis’

UAE Minister of Foreign Trade Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi speaks during the opening ceremony of the WTO ministerial meeting in Abu Dhabi on February 26, 2024. (REUTERS)
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UAE Minister of Foreign Trade Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi speaks during the opening ceremony of the WTO ministerial meeting in Abu Dhabi on February 26, 2024. (REUTERS)
WTO talks in UAE end with no major win, throwing trade body into ‘crisis’
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Delegates attend the 13th WTO ministerial conference in Abu Dhabi on February 26, 2024. (REUTERS)
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Updated 02 March 2024
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WTO talks in UAE end with no major win, throwing trade body into ‘crisis’

WTO talks in UAE end with no major win, throwing trade body into ‘crisis’
  • The outcome highlights the sharp divisions among the body´s 164 members amid geopolitical tensions and economic headwinds that are threatening global commerce

ABU DHABI: A high-level WTO conference ended Saturday with a temporary extension of an e-commerce moratorium but no deals on agriculture and fisheries, throwing into doubt the effectiveness of the multilateral trade body.

The outcomes of the World Trade Organization’s 13th ministerial conference in Abu Dhabi highlighted the sharp divisions between the body´s 164 members amid geopolitical tensions and economic headwinds that are threatening global commerce.
“The WTO needed a good crisis and perhaps this will lead to a realization that we cannot continue like this,” said a senior European Union official participating in the talks.
Speaking at the closing press conference, the Emirati chair of the so-called MC13 gathering, Thani Al Zeyoudi, acknowledged the shortcomings.
“Despite our best efforts, we failed to agree on some texts which are of great importance to many of our members,” said Al Zeyoudi, who also serves as the UAE’s foreign trade minister.
For her part, WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said the talks came up “against an international backdrop marked by greater uncertainty than at any time I can remember.”
“We have achieved some important things and we have not managed to complete others,” she said, while insisting that the “glass was half full.”




Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, WTO director-general, speaks during the opening ceremony of the WTO ministerial meeting in Abu Dhabi on Feb. 26, 2024. (REUTERS)

The WTO, the only international body dealing with the rules of trade between nations, requires full consensus from all members to chalk up deals.
It was hoping the MC13 would replicate the landmark success of its 2022 ministerial in Geneva, which yielded a deal on fisheries and saw members agree to restore a now-defunct dispute settlement system by the end of this year.
But the latest ministerial fell short of that objective.
“The unexpected weakness of the overall (MC13) package should... serve as a wake-up call,” the secretary general of the International Chamber of Commerce, John Denton, said in a statement.

After a 2022 deal that banned subsidies contributing to illegal, undeclared and unregulated fishing, the WTO was hoping to conclude a second package focusing on subsidies that result in overcapacity and overfishing.
Negotiations in recent months at the WTO headquarters in Geneva had enabled a draft text to be brought forward for a second fisheries deal, which provided flexibility and advantages for developing countries.
But some — notably India — demanded further concessions, including transition periods that others consider to be too long.
At MC13, a revised draft fisheries agreement faced strong objections from New Delhi.
“There was basically just one country that was blocking the deal,” said EU trade commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis, without specifying which member.
Richard Ouellet of Canada’s University of Laval said “consensus, which was once the cement of this organization, has now become the mud in which it is bogged down.”

With farmer protests sweeping Europe and India, agriculture agreements also emerged as a particularly sensitive topic of debate.
Member states were trying to negotiate a text listing the subjects that merit further discussion.
An agriculture package, however, was hampered by a firm demand by India for permanent rules governing public stockholding of food reserves to replace temporary measures adopted by the WTO.
India’s insistence on a permanent solution for public stockholding was “impossible to bridge,” Dombrovskis said.
Despite failing on agriculture and fisheries, the WTO managed to temporarily salvage a moratorium on customs duties for digital transmissions that was extended for another two years.
It faced a particularly strong challenge at MC13, with countries led by India and South Africa arguing that it harms customs revenues.
India’s Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said Friday that he allowed the extension to pass “out of respect” to the conference’s Emirati chair, whom he called a “good friend.”




India's Minister of Commerce Piyush Goyal prepares to brief journalists at a WTO meeting in Abu Dhabi on February 29, 2024. (REUTERS)

However, the moratorium, which has been regularly extended since 1998, is set to definitively expire on March 31, 2016, with no chance of an extension, Iweala said.
“I think that the membership has agreed... on very firm dates for its conclusion,” she said.
“I have to abide by what the membership has just decided.”
On dispute settlement reform, the final outcome mainly reiterated the commitment made at MC12 to have a fully and well-functioning dispute settlement system in place by 2024.
Washington, under former President Donald Trump, brought the system to a grinding halt in 2019 by blocking the appointment of new judges to the WTO’s appeals court, the organization’s highest dispute settlement authority.
“We wished for more progress on the question of appeal... but we were not able to move forward as fast as we wanted,” Dombrovskis said.
 


Pakistan says improving telecom services to increase IT exports, freelancers countrywide

Pakistan says improving telecom services to increase IT exports, freelancers countrywide
Updated 44 sec ago
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Pakistan says improving telecom services to increase IT exports, freelancers countrywide

Pakistan says improving telecom services to increase IT exports, freelancers countrywide
  • Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chairs Economic Advisory Council meeting in Islamabad
  • Rights activists, opposition accuse government of throttling Internet to suppress dissent 

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Wednesday that his government is undertaking efforts to improve telecommunication services and ensure Internet access in remote areas, his office said, adding that the move would increase IT exports and freelancers countywide. 
Pakistan’s government has been accused of stifling dissent by rights activists and the opposition with what they call restrictive measures. These include the blocking of social media platform X and the banning of virtual private networks (VPNs) last year. 
The government also confirmed its move to install a national firewall last year to regulate content online, saying its moves were aimed at regulating content online to make cyberspace safe for people. This caused Internet speeds to slow down considerably across the country, inviting criticism and anger from freelancers and IT experts. 
“We are working to increase the number of IT exports and freelancers in the country by improving telecommunication services and providing Internet access to remote areas,” Sharif was quoted as saying by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). 
The Pakistani premier was chairing a meeting of the Economic Advisory Council, an independent body that advises the prime minister on economic policies and affairs. 
Sharif praised his economic team for its efforts to ensure growth in the country, saying that his government is determined to work harder for sustainable economic development.
He said his economic team would take “full advantage” of Pakistan’s current potential for trade in the region and enable local industries to compete in the international market. 
“Development of industry, agriculture, IT, generating employment and increasing exports are among the top priorities of the government,” he said. 
Participants of the meeting said the country’s economy was heading toward economic stability, adding that Pakistan’s production had increased due to price stability, the PMO said. 
The PMO said that the meeting’s participants presented various suggestions to Sharif relating to various sectors.
“The prime minister directed relevant authorities to work with council members to formulate a comprehensive action plan regarding the suggestions,” the PMO said.


Trump is living in a Russian-made ‘disinformation space,’ says Ukraine’s Zelensky

Trump is living in a Russian-made ‘disinformation space,’ says Ukraine’s Zelensky
Updated 25 min 21 sec ago
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Trump is living in a Russian-made ‘disinformation space,’ says Ukraine’s Zelensky

Trump is living in a Russian-made ‘disinformation space,’ says Ukraine’s Zelensky
  • Trump suggested Tuesday that Ukraine was to blame for the war on its territory
  • Talks between top American and Russian diplomats in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday sidelined Ukraine and its European supporters

KYIV: Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky said Wednesday that US President Donald Trump is living in a Russian-made “disinformation space” as a result of his administration’s discussions with Kremlin officials.
Zelensky said he “would like Trump’s team to be more truthful.”
He made the comments shortly before he was expected to meet with Keith Kellogg, the US special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, who arrived in Kyiv on Wednesday. Kellogg will meet Zelensky and military commanders as the US shifts its policy away from years of efforts to isolate Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Trump suggested Tuesday that Kyiv was to blame for the war, which enters its fourth year next week, as talks between top American and Russian diplomats in Saudi Arabia sidelined Ukraine and its European supporters.
French President Emmanuel Macron was to hold a videoconference on Ukraine later Wednesday with leaders of over 15 countries, mostly European nations, “with the aim of gathering all partners interested in peace and security” on the continent, his office said.
Key European leaders held an emergency meeting in Paris on Monday after they felt they had been sidelined by the Trump administration.
Trump’s comments are likely to vex Ukrainian officials, who have urged the world to help them fight Russia’s full-scale invasion that began Feb. 24, 2022.
Trump also said at Mar-a-Lago that Zelensky’s rating stood at 4 percent.
Zelensky replied in a news conference in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv that “we have seen this disinformation. We understand that it is coming from Russia.” He said that Trump “lives in this disinformation space.”
Trump also suggested Ukraine ought to hold elections, which have been postponed due to the war and the consequent imposition of martial law, in accordance with the Ukrainian Constitution.
Zelensky questioned claims, which he didn’t specify, that 90 percent of all aid received by Ukraine comes from the United States.
He said that, for instance, about 34 percent of all weapons in Ukraine are domestically produced, over 30 percent of support comes from Europe, and up to 40 percent from the US
The battlefield has also brought grim news for Ukraine in recent months. A relentless onslaught in eastern areas by Russia’s bigger army is grinding down Ukrainian forces, which are slowly but steadily being pushed backward at some points on the 1,000-kilometer (600-mile) front line.
Trump told reporters at his Florida residence Tuesday that Ukraine “should have never started” the war and “could have made a deal” to prevent it.
Kellogg said his visit to Kyiv was “a chance to have some good, substantial talks.” Zelensky was due to travel to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday but canceled his trip in what some analysts saw as an attempt to deny legitimacy to the US-Russia talks about the future of his country.
American officials have signaled that Ukraine’s hopes of joining NATO in order to ward off Russian aggression after reaching a possible peace agreement won’t happen. Zelensky says any settlement will require US security commitments to keep Russia at bay.
“We understand the need for security guarantees,” Kellogg said in comments carried by Ukrainian public broadcaster Suspilne Novyny on his arrival at Kyiv train station.
“It’s very clear to us the importance of the sovereignty of this nation and the independence of this nation as well. ... Part of my mission is to sit and listen,” the retired three-star general said.
Kellogg said he would convey what he learns on his visit to Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio to “and ensure that we get this one right.”


Women work to redefine leadership strategies in Middle East entertainment industry

Women work to redefine leadership strategies in Middle East entertainment industry
Updated 27 min 38 sec ago
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Women work to redefine leadership strategies in Middle East entertainment industry

Women work to redefine leadership strategies in Middle East entertainment industry
  • Women increasingly taking on leadership roles
  • Rapidly expanding industry offers new opportunities  

RIYADH: Women are increasingly taking on leadership roles in the region’s entertainment industry, in operations, strategy and risk management.

At the IAAPA Middle East Trade Summit 2025 in Riyadh on Tuesday, female executives shared how they are adapting leadership strategies to meet the sector’s rapid evolution.

For many professionals in the region, careers in entertainment were not an obvious choice. Nada Radwan, business development manager at Adirondack Studios, spoke about her transition from interior design to themed entertainment.

“In the Arab world, family plays a big role in career choices, and medicine and engineering are often seen as the safest options,” she said. “For me, I knew that math and chemistry were not for me, so I chose interior design — something creative yet practical.”

She described how her fascination with how spaces evoke emotions led her into the entertainment industry. “I had no plan of becoming anywhere close to this industry. I just followed what excited me,” she said. “My advice to those considering a career shift? Go for it. Build on what sparks joy for you, be open to learning, and move forward with no regrets.”

With the industry rapidly expanding, a new challenge has emerged — managing a younger workforce with different priorities. Hind Galadari, deputy general manager at Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, highlighted the evolving expectations of Gen Z employees.

“They don’t care about job security the way previous generations did,” she said. “They care about their well-being, their purpose, and what they can contribute to the world.”

Moderated by author and development coach Maya Mattar, the session, “Women Transforming the Middle East’s Entertainment Industry,” set a bold tone.

“This is not your typical women’s empowerment session,” Mattar said. “We are not here to preach or hand out badges of honor. In this room, we have a seat at the table, and let’s be honest — it’s a pretty good seat.”

Lina El-Deek, partner at PwC Middle East, emphasized that the success of entertainment projects depends on balancing customer experience, financial sustainability and data security.

“We have an existential risk in driving the right customer experience,” she said. “It’s all about how people feel when they visit our attractions. Will they come back? Will they recommend it to others? If we don’t get this right, we fail.”

She also stressed the importance of building inclusive workplaces. “This business is all about diversity. We bring people from across the world, and we need to manage that properly,” she said. “Leadership must set the right tone, create clear cultural policies, and engage employees through active inclusion.”

Galadari emphasized the need for adaptability when improving workforce culture. “The culture doesn’t change overnight,” she said. “The park opens in an instant, but the team takes time to transition. That’s why hiring the right mindset, not just skills, is essential.”


Trump restricts AP access over Gulf of Mexico issue

Trump restricts AP access over Gulf of Mexico issue
Updated 30 min 29 sec ago
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Trump restricts AP access over Gulf of Mexico issue

Trump restricts AP access over Gulf of Mexico issue
  • Associated Press said it would continue to use the gulf’s established name disregarding the Trump administration’s effort to rebrand it as Gulf of America

LONDON: US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he will block the Associated Press from the Oval Office and Air Force One until the news agency stops referring to the Gulf of Mexico.
Trump signed an executive order in January directing the Interior Department to change the name of the body of water to the Gulf of America. The AP, citing editorial standards, said it would continue to use the gulf’s established name.
The White House has kept the AP out of several press pool gatherings during the past week, calling the news agency’s decision divisive and misinformation.
“We’re going to keep them out until such time as they agree that it’s the Gulf of America,” Trump told reporters at Mar-a-Lago in Florida on Tuesday in his first public comments on the issue.
The agency has retained access to the White House complex itself.
The AP says in its stylebook that the Gulf of Mexico has carried that name for more than 400 years. As a global news agency, the AP says it will refer to the gulf by its original name while acknowledging the new name Trump has chosen.
“This is about the government telling the public and press what words to use and retaliating if they do not follow government orders,” said AP spokesperson Lauren Easton.
The White House Correspondents’ Association, which represents journalists covering the president, has protested the Trump administration’s actions against the AP.
Most news organizations, including Reuters, continue to call the body of water the Gulf of Mexico, although, where relevant, Reuters style is to include the context about Trump’s executive order.
“Reuters stands with the Associated Press and other media organizations in objecting to coverage restrictions imposed by the White House on the AP, because of the AP’s independent editorial decisions,” Reuters said in a statement on Saturday.


Philippine ministerial delegation tours Middle East for trade, agriculture deals

Philippine ministerial delegation tours Middle East for trade, agriculture deals
Updated 46 min 54 sec ago
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Philippine ministerial delegation tours Middle East for trade, agriculture deals

Philippine ministerial delegation tours Middle East for trade, agriculture deals
  • Mission led by Department of Trade and Industry and Department of Agriculture
  • 26 major Philippines exporters are touring Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Qatar and the UAE

Manila: In an effort to strengthen the Philippines’ trade presence in the Middle East, a government-led business mission is touring Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Qatar and the UAE to explore new market opportunities for the country’s agricultural and non-food products.

Running from Feb. 7-21, the mission, which includes 26 major Philippine exporters, is organized by the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Agriculture.

The mission began with a visit to Doha, followed by Amman and Riyadh, and is now concluding its final leg in Dubai.

“The DTI and DA partnership seeks to enhance the global competitiveness of Philippine agribusiness by streamlining value chains, promoting value-added processing and ensuring compliance with international standards. This approach is designed to help exporters navigate regulatory requirements and overcome market entry challenges in the Middle East especially, in Saudi Arabia,” Raymond Balatbat, the Philippine ambassador to Riyadh, told Arab News.

“The mission aims to expand market access and promote Philippine agricultural and fisheries exports, as well as non-food products, particularly personal care products. Given the identified sectors, which have high export potential in the Middle East, the DTI partnered with the Philippine Embassies in Doha, Amman, Riyadh and the Philippine Consulate General in Dubai as well as local chambers of commerce in setting up the business matching activities. The exporters have scheduled meetings with potential local buyers and distributors in each country.”

In Saudi Arabia, the Philippine delegation engaged in multiple business matching missions, including meetings with the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and retail giants such as Lulu, Manuel Supermarket and Abdullah Al-Othaim Markets.

The mission also made progress in Amman, leading to agreements with Jordanian distributors, especially in the sectors of food and agribusiness, including halal-certified products, processed food and beverages, personal care and cosmetics.

“The matching process was conducted through pre-arranged business-to-business meetings, supermarket scanning and sales calls,” said Angeli Payumo, consul and head of the political and economic section of the Philippine Embassy in Amman.

“On Feb. 10, the 21 representatives of the 12 Philippine exporters visited five of the leading supermarkets in Jordan to gain an in-depth understanding of the Jordanian market. On Feb. 11, a B2B matching event was held at the Amman Chamber of Commerce.”

During the Amman visit, the Philippine delegation held consultations with the Jordan Food and Drug Administration, and the Ministry of Agriculture on import regulations, halal certification and efforts to ease trade barriers.

In the UAE, the mission is focused on meetings in Dubai to explore partnerships in trade and distribution.

“Market scanning activities in Dubai have provided insights into consumer preferences and buying behavior, highlighting a strong demand for high-quality halal-certified food products, healthy and organic alternatives, and convenience-driven packaged goods,” the DTI’s Export Marketing Bureau said in a statement to Arab News.

“The preference for sustainable and ethically sourced products is also growing. These findings will guide Philippine exporters in refining their offerings and marketing strategies to better cater to Middle Eastern consumers.”

The delegation is also taking part in the 2025 edition of Gulfood — one of the Gulf region’s biggest food exhibitions, which takes place in Dubai from Feb. 17-21.

This year’s focus of Philippine exhibitors is on premium food products and brand recognition activities.

“From Gulfood 2025, we expect that we will be able to secure high-value trade deals, expand market access for Philippine exporters, and strengthen relationships with regional distributors and retailers,” the Export Marketing Bureau said.

“The event is expected to influence the future direction of Philippine exports by identifying emerging opportunities in the Middle Eastern market and encouraging more Philippine businesses to explore export ventures in the region.”