Trade : Panels set to examine Indian duties on ICT goods (PRIV)
(Kanaga Raja, Geneva)
The WTO Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) on Wednesday agreed to establish dispute panels, at the request of Japan and Chinese Taipei, to examine India's tariff treatment of certain goods in the information and communications technology (ICT) sector.

COVID-19 : South Africa calls for "holistic" approach to TRIPS flexibilities (PRIV)
(D. Ravi Kanth, Geneva)
South Africa has called for a "more holistic approach to TRIPS flexibilities" in combating the ravaging Covid-19 pandemic that appears to have become a new gigantic "milking cow" for the world's leading pharmaceutical companies to secure billions of dollars of public funds and adopt predatory pricing policies for new therapeutics and vaccines.

Trade : GC chair explores option of becoming acting DG in absence of consensus (PRIV)
(D. Ravi Kanth, Geneva)
The WTO General Council Chair, Ambassador David Walker from New Zealand, is apparently exploring various options, including whether it would be legally consistent with the WTO rules for him to be acting director-general in the absence of consensus on the two deputy directors-general that are being considered for the acting DG post, said people familiar with the consultations.

COVID-19 : Only governments can prevent recessions becoming depressions (PRIV)
(IPS, Kuala Lumpur)
Covid-19 threatens economic life the world over. The most urgent and important need is for governments, businesses and families to survive.