Below is the statement of Ecuador to the WTO’s Trade Negotiations Committee on 2 February 2011.

The importance of the" development dimension" in the process of negotiations and in general, the structure of the multilateral trading system has been widely recognized. Members have to ensure not only "possible benefits" or "profit potential" for developing countries, but the results of the Round as such should provide tools to effectively support development.

Firstly, the Round should provide "Improved access [and cash] to markets, balanced rules, and technical assistance programs and capacity building and well-targeted and sustainable funding”.

Secondly, the outcome of the Round should preserve or generate sufficient policy space for countries to implement their development strategies and measures to safeguard their external balances. The outcome should preserve but also go beyond the established "flexibilities" for developing countries.

The smaller developing countries require sufficient policy space to effectively promote productive conditions necessary to achieve food sovereignty. We also require policy space to implement incentives for the development of value-generating activities. This is so that we can move forward into transformation, diversification and specialization in production, and ecosystem sustainability, and an economy where goods and services are produced in a sustainable manner.

In addition, smaller developing countries require effective tools so as to be able to take expeditious action regarding any balance of payments problems. Indeed, consider the profound and persistent uncertainty which has prevailed for several years in the international economy. There are many risks and dangers arising from this, particularly for our country. We have witnessed the frequent occurrences of destabilizing events, with potentially extremely serious consequences. It has been possible to address many of these crises through state intervention, and in some cases through international cooperation.

The available resources and social realities in small developing countries are different from those who hitherto have faced these situations directly. Therefore, when defining the time frame and depth of commitments particularly in market access of the Doha Round, this element of uncertainty and high risk, must be considered. Developing countries should be able to be forewarned of any external balance of payments problems, and they should be able to take expeditious action.

In short, we will continue to actively support the successful conclusion of the Doha Round. However, for developing countries like Ecuador, the outcome should be an effective means of support for the achievement of the objectives in their national strategies.