Poor countries need better market access: report

Geneva, 11 Jan- (ANA) - Increased trade is one of the best ways to fight poverty, so rich countries should do more to open their markets to goods from developing countries, a report by the International Trade Centre (ITC) has said.

The report  said poor countries could also boost each other's commerce by removing non-tariff barriers such as red tape that hamper exports.

"Poor countries cannot grow and reduce poverty without exports -- thus market access and market entry are critical," said the ITC, a joint agency of the World Trade Organization and United Nations.

The report said that special, or "preferential", trading arrangements by rich governments, allowing a range of imports from developing countries to come in duty-free, made a significant contribution. (ANA)

FA/ANA/11 January 2011-----