(AFP) The government has no objections to the launch of a new round of WTO trade negotiations but rejected any inclusion of labour and environmental standards in the agenda.

It also disagreed to any discussion on investment rules, competition policy and transparency in government procurement, the International Trade and Industry Ministry said.

The ministry, in a briefing paper, noted that there was still no consensus on the launch of a new round of talks at the World Trade Organisation's (WTO) November meeting in the Qatari capital Doha.

"Major differences remain on the scope of the agenda," it said.

Proposed issues for talks include investment rules, competition policy, transparency in government procurement, trade facilitation, industrial tariffs, trade and labour, trade and environment.

More market access

The ministry said Malaysia was "not opposed to the launch of a new round at Doha provided there is consensus on a realistic and manageable agenda that takes into account interests of developing countries".

"Agenda should include implementation issues, mandated negotiations on services and agriculture, and market access negotiations on industrial tariffs," it said.

The ministry said Malaysia however "rejected any discussion on labour and environmental standards" in the WTO.

It also "cannot agree to an agenda that includes negotiations on rules on investment, competition policy and transparency in government procurement".

For agriculture, the ministry said Malaysia wanted more market access, an end to export subsidies and flexibility to use government assistance for rural development and alleviation of poverty.

For services, it said Malaysia would abide by the principle of "progressive liberalisation and flexibility for developing nations".

Clear agenda

International Trade Minister Rafidah Aziz urged the world trade body to outline a clear agenda for new talks to all its 141 members before the Doha meeting to give them time to consider.

Rafidah was quoted by Bernama news agency as saying that she would only attend the Doha meeting "if there was a semblance of a good agenda".

Malaysia, along with Pakistan, India and other poor countries have expressed concern to a new round of WTO talks, saying they benefitted little from agreements reached at the Uruguay round of WTO talks and had to pay exhorbitant costs to adapt their trade structure to those accords.

Many feared a new round of negotiations on subjects like investment rules and competition would be even more costly for them.

Some suspected the EU demand for trading standards that respected the environment and food safety were disguised attempts at protecting domestic markets.