Africa: ACP Group proposes lower tariff cuts for developing countries

The African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group of countries in the WTO on Friday 21 October submitted a proposal on market access in agriculture, with its own set of thresholds in the tariff reduction formula for developed and developing countries, and with suggested tariff reduction rates for developing countries. The ACP paper was presented by the Group coordinator, Mauritius, at an informal agriculture meeting on market access held at the WTO Friday morning. The proposal was supported by many members of the Group, while several other developing countries welcomed the fact that the ACP Group was engaging in the process with its own proposal.