Forfas calls for end to trade barriers

One of the Republic's leading business think-tanks has urged the Government to push for the elimination of international trade…

One of the Republic's leading business think-tanks has urged the Government to push for the elimination of international trade barriers by 2015.

Lifting tariffs would boost exports and stimulate inward investment, though potentially at the expense of the farming sector which could face heightened competition, said Forfás, the national policy and advisory board for science and technology.

The agency issued its plea at the opening of the latest round of World Trade Organisation (WTO) negotiations aimed at liberalising global markets. The Republic is represented at the talks by the European Commission, which bargains on behalf of EU members.

Forfás's recommendations are contained in a report, World Trade Organisation Negotiating Objectives for Irish Enterprise Policy, published yesterday.

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Further proposals include an indefinite moratorium on levying customs duties on electronic transmissions and e-services, removal of tariff peaks (over 15 per cent) by 2005, and improved access to Irish and EU markets for third world exporters.

Chief executive Mr Martin Cronin said the Republic should welcome increased globalisation.

"As well as creating a more equitable international trading system for poorer countries, progress in the WTO negotiations will also support the efforts of Ireland's development agencies to both attract a new generation of high value-added industries to Ireland and to grow the existing cohort of companies already operating successfully here," he said.

Employers' group IBEC echoed the sentiments. Director Mr Brian Callanan said the Government should not be sidetracked by opposition to globalisation within the farm lobby. "Efforts to minimise losses on farming should be balanced by parallel efforts to open up markets for other important sector of the economy," he said.