Kuensel has found out that there isn’t any comprehensible set of rules or polices worked out by the government on how and with whom Bhutan will trade with under the WTO in bringing home so called benefits. What is clear is that Bhutan’s accession procedures, after nearly nine years, have almost been complete and that, according to the ministry of economic affairs, Bhutan could join WTO later this year or early next year. 

While trade liberalisation has obviously helped some countries by raising their GDP, it has also led to advanced countries creating a global trade regime that has helped their special corporate and financial interests, and hurt the poorest countries of the world. Even in those countries where WTO is said to be working well, the free trade has not benefited most of its people as it was supposed to or was promise it would. In most cases globalisation was creating rich countries with poor people.

Globalisation is not inevitable – even though there are strong underlying political and economic forces behind it. And even if Bhutan joins WTO in the end, democratic political processes should be at the centre of the decision-making – not pro WTO officials.

What the government must see is that joining WTO does not compromise our fundamental cultural values and political interests. What Bhutan should not want is for globalisation to take away its ability to make independent decisions in key areas that affect her citizen’s well being, which being under WTO is compromised. We should also make sure if WTO, which is in essence the American model of a market economy, reflective of corporate interest - is really what we want.

Bhutan must recognise and deal with these issues before jumping in to join WTO.

Globalisation is not inevitable