Switzerland has told an international trade conference that globalisation can only succeed if greater efforts are made to combat corruption. The statement was made by David Syz (pictured), who is heading Switzerland's delegation at the UNCTAD meeting.

Switzerland has told an international trade conference in Bangkok that globalisation can only succeed if greater efforts are made to combat corruption and create more transparency. The statement was made by David Syz, who is heading the Swiss delegation at the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) meeting.

Syz also expressed hope that rich and poor countries can settle their differences in Bangkok, following the collapse last November of the World Trade Organisation summit in Seattle. This is the first major international conference on trade since Seattle.

The state secretary in the economics ministry also pointed out that both UNCTAD and the WTO are based in Geneva. He said that in spite of its size, Switzerland can play an important role. Syz said that Switzerland was taking the UNCTAD meeting more seriously than countries like the United States and Britain, both in terms of the preparations it has made and the size of its delegation.

UNCTAD meets every four years and focuses on promoting trade as a tool for development. It does not come up with binding agreements, but offers a chance for developing countries to press for a greater say in global trade arrangements.

From staff and wire reports

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