If the developing countries desire a greater share in the responsibility for creating genuine world partnership, they desire equally that there should be a greater degree of equity in international economic policies. There are many aspects to this urge for an equitable treatment. But let me mention only a few examples. It is somehow taken for granted that agricultural protection in the developed countries is desirable and understandable. But protection to industries in the developing world is frowned upon; and even international institutions make a fetish of international competitive bidding. Despite general awareness that primary producing countries suffer greatly from instability and deterioration in terms of trade, there has been no real progress or effective action to ensure that primary producers in the poorer countries get a square deal in international markets. Is it really equitable that while steel prices continue to rise, the price of iron ore should fall? Or that tea, jute, rubber or cocoa should buy less and less of manufactured products as time goes on? Or take the question of aid and repayments. Practically, all bilateral aid has been tied to procurement within the aid-giving country and that too for prescribed purposes. To the extent that this is done frankly for supporting local industry, it has been justified on the ground of balance of payments difficulties. On the other hand, repayment of past loans and interest thereon has to be made in freely convertible currencies and not in tied exports irrespective of the extent of the debt burden or the balance of payments difficulties of the developing countries. Is it at all equitable that aid-giving countries should have a right to tie aid and prescribe several other conditions whereas debt-repayments must be made unconditionally and in an united manner without any conventions or generally acceptable rules about when and to what extent automatic debt-relief should be provided if the process of development in country after country is not to be impaired seriously?
Take yet another example where the present arrangements for international economic cooperation appear inequitable to most developing countries. The policies and performance of the developing countries are subjected to continuous scrutiny merely because these countries are in need of external assistance. On the other hand, the policies and procedures of the developed countries are not subject to a similar effective scrutiny or influence. If we genuinely believe in creating a sense of world partnership, we will have to create first of all a greater sense of equality and a greater degree of equity in present international economic relations.
