WTO : DG yet to come to terms with MC13 failure (PRIV)
(D. Ravi Kanth, Geneva)
Despite the failed World Trade Organizati on's 13th ministerial conference (MC13) early this month, the WTO Director-Gener al, Ms Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, seems to be toying with the idea of pressing ahead with the rejected draft texts on agriculture and fisheries subsidies, a developm ent that appears to go against past practices adopted by previous Director-Generals, said people familiar with the development.

WTO : Thai envoy's nomination for Services Council chair blocked (PRIV)
(D. Ravi Kanth, Geneva)
A major developing country is understood to have blocked the nomination of Thailand's trade envoy, Ambassador Pimchanok Pitfield, as the chair of the Council for Trade in Services, in the draft s late of chairs circulated by the WTO's General Council chair, said people familiar with the development.

UN : Forced labour generates $236 billion in annual profits, says ILO (PRIV)
(Kanaga Raja, Penang)
Total illegal profits generated from forced labour in the private economy amount to an estimated US$236 billion annuall y, according to the International Labour Organization (ILO).