WTO Director-General Pascal Lamy Praises Sporting Goods Industry

MUNICH, Germany – “I believe your industry is a force for good in the world.” This said WTO Director-General Pascal Lamy (photo) on the occasion of the Annual General Assembly of the World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry (WFSGI) last Saturday.

In his speech for key representatives of the sporting goods industry, Lamy further said: “The sports equipment industry is another example that typifies the new global production network pattern. For instance, the blueprint of a sport shoe is designed and conceived in a research lab in the United States, but manufactured in factories located in China, Vietnam or Indonesia.

You locate the different stages of your activities from creation to production, marketing and distribution in order to maximise efficiencies and optimise your value addition chain. It suggests that the "Made in China" or "Made in Vietnam" label on the back of a sport shoe should really read “Made in the World”. This new global reality also forces us to re-examine how we analyse and measure “international trade.

“The Doha Round negotiations are now at a crucial stage and we need the support of the business community – who are important shareholders in the process – to seize the moment. As for the sports equipment industry, we have a proposal on the table calling for the elimination of tariffs in this sector, which amounts to over half a billion US $. I urge your industry, as well as the business community in general, to press your governments for a conclusion of the Doha Round this year.

“Today, international trade is intricately linked with global production chains and foreign direct investment. Multinational corporations are playing a fundamental role in international trade activities. SMEs are also making inroads into the global trading scene. Trade statistics, trade rules and trade negotiations have to adjust to this new global scenario." 

"Many in the WTO think that we need to explore new issues – such as trade and investment, trade and competition, and standards – in order to further advance business opportunities around the world. But we first need to safeguard and promote trading opportunities by concluding the current Round. And for that, we need the support of business and labour. I believe that both have an important stake in pushing for the conclusion of the Doha Round, because a reduction in trade barriers and stronger, clearer and more transparent trade rules will boost trade. Hence efficiency, hence growth, hence development, hence poverty reduction. We all share the same goal – that of a more prosperous future for the world. And a successful completion of the Doha Round will undoubtedly help in that endeavour.”