MC12: Decisions not impactful, but WTO wins big

The current practice of not imposing Customs duties on electronic transmission will continue till the next ministerial conference (MC13) to be held towards the end of December 2023

Last week, trade ministers of 164 member countries of the World Trade Organization (WTO) agreed on a set of measures that do not amount to much in terms of impact but are significant because all of them signed up to the decisions, thus restoring the confidence, credibility, and relevance of the body.

Developing countries, under certain circumstances, can now allow manufacturers to make and export Covid-19 vaccines without consent from the patent holders. Developing countries, such as India, with the existing capacity to manufacture Covid-19 vaccines, are encouraged to make a binding commitment not to avail of this decision.

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