By Caribbean News Global 
OTTAWA, Canada – Minister of small business, export promotion and international trade, Mary Ng, announced that Canada will host the Fifth ministerial meeting of the Ottawa Group on World Trade Organization (WTO) reform on June 15, 2020.
“As the world faces the unprecedented challenge of COVID-19, countries are working together to find ways to keep people safe while supporting businesses, workers, and their families. The virtual meeting of the Ottawa Group will build on the progress made by Canada and like-minded countries over the past few months, ensuring trade stays open and predictable to give people stability at this uncertain time.”
Ministers from the 13 Ottawa Group countries will discuss how the WTO and the rules-based trading system can help mitigate the impacts of COVID-19, lay the groundwork for a sustainable recovery, and adapt trade rules to prepare for future crises.
The ministers will discuss key priorities, including greater transparency around export restrictions, ways to ensure the smooth flow of goods and services to benefit their countries’ people, and helping businesses and workers adapt to an increasingly digital economy.
The Ottawa Group will continue to engage small businesses as it develops concrete plans to address the global economic recovery and ongoing WTO reform efforts.
Minister of small business, export promotion and international trade, Mary Ng, said: “Canadian businesses need long-term stability and predictability to thrive at home and around the world—that is why Canada is leading efforts to modernize the rules-based multilateral trading system for businesses in the 21st century, particularly in these extraordinary times. I look forward to continuing to work closely with our international partners to support our businesses as countries begin to gradually reopen their economies.”
