Dubai: India on September 22 asked the rich countries to reduce trade barriers and provide greater market access to enable developing countries strengthen their trading activities.

In his address to the Development Committee meeting of the World Bank and IMF (International Monetary Fund) in Dubai, Finance Secretary D C Gupta said, "Pro-poor policies are the only way forward and for this the developed countries must show greater flexibility on issues of vital importance that are essential for development of poor countries."

"Improved market access for all products of all is perhaps the key. Specifically for achieving the Millennium Development Goals, the need is to strengthen the capacity of developing countries to expand their production and trading activities and this is possible if the agreement aims to reduce barriers and provide greater flexibility on issues of vital importance essential for development of poor countries," he said.

Gupta, who is the Alternate Governor to the Development Committee, admitted there is a need for an appropriate response from the developing countries as well for a multilateral fair and free trade regime.

He told the joint ministerial committee of the Board of Governors of the WB and IMF, "We are also not very comfortable with the calculation of the quantum of development assistance presently made available".

PTI