Open trade, investment urged

The OECD, WTO and the UN's Conference of Trade and Development have urged G20 countries to make a stronger commitment to open trade and investment as the global economy begins its recovery.

In a combined report on G20 Trade and Investment Measures yesterday, Angel Gurra, secretary-general of the OECD; Pascal Lamy, director-general of the WTO; and Supachai Panitchpakdi, secretary-general of UNCTAD, said G20 leaders must remain vigilant against protectionism.

"The global crisis cannot be deemed to be over yet, despite welcome recent indications of economic recovery in some parts of the world. Growing unemployment due to the crisis will continue to fuel protectionist pressures for the years to come," they said.