§ Mr. LetwinTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make it her policy to ensure that the Multilateral Agreement on Investment is discussed at the WTO.[46012]
§ Mr. FoulkesThe Multilateral Agreement on Investment (MAI) is being negotiated at the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). In addition to our work on the MAI, the Government are committed to working towards the establishment of multilateral rules on investment in the World Trade Organisation (WTO). We are playing a full part in WTO discussions, aimed at exploring the links between trade and investment and the implications for development and economic growth. We have also recently agreed a contribution of over half a million pounds to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) to help build developing countries' capacity to participate effectively in discussions on a possible multilateral framework for investment.