The WTO’s Doha Negotiations: An Assessment

The lure of big benefits from successful conclusion of the multilateral negotiations and the risks of bilateral and regional routes if these negotiations fail should not be taken by the developing countries as determining factors in their moves in the current WTO Doha negotiations. Working together, the developing countries have much greater negotiating strength than if they were to form small interest groups and negotiate with the major developed countries separately. Such cohesion of strength and strategy can be built up on the basis of mutual trust and recognition of various interests among them. If there are conflicting interests sometimes, there would be a need for rational adjustment. Total transparency among the developing countries and being continuously on guard against mutual suspicion are important preconditions for deepening their cooperation and consolidation in multilateral negotiations.