India Wants Focus on Health Workers and Remittances at WTO Meet

India Wants Focus on Health Workers and Remittances at WTO Meet

As trade ministers prepare for a crucial meeting of WTO in Abu Dhabi, India seeks to address the issue of high remittance costs draining poor countries. It aims to rally support from over 160 member nations for a reduction in charges. Additionally, India wants to prioritize telemedicine and healthcare professional development to deal with pandemics and natural disasters. However, disagreement exists in critical areas such as agriculture, dispute settlement system, and fisheries agreement. While India insists on finalizing the procurement spending plan, other countries seek a delay in the decision. Furthermore, concerns are raised regarding China’s inclusion in special and differential treatment meant for developing nations. India has highlighted the importance of focusing on remittances, pointing out that banks and intermediaries skim over $40 billion in levies and charges from migrant workers. India proposes leveraging its digital public infrastructure to lower remittance costs and allocate the savings to climate finance. However, rich nations, including the UK, oppose this idea. India also advocates for a mention of telemedicine and healthcare professionals in the ministerial declaration to facilitate the development of a framework, similar to the patent waiver for medicines during pandemics.

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