20091130

GENEVA (Reuters) - Developing countries called on Sunday for a quick deal in the World Trade Organisation's Doha round of talks to help poor nations by removing unfair distortions in the global trading system.

Trade ministers from Brazil, India and Indonesia issued the call after a meeting on the eve of a WTO conference in Geneva.

"We want to keep this round alive and we want to conclude it early and successfully, and by successfully we mean friendly to development," Brazilian Foreign Minister Celso Amorim told a news conference.

Indian Trade Minister Anand Sharma and Indonesian Trade Minister Mari Pangestu echoed his words, while ministers from other developing nations from Argentina to China sat with them.

"The developing countries ... have much at stake, most to gain and much to lose," Sharma said.

NOT ON THE AGENDA

The Doha round was launched eight years ago to open markets and help developing countries prosper through more trade.

WTO Director-General Pascal Lamy says the agreement is 80 percent there, but big differences remain on exactly how the WTO's 153 members will cut agricultural and manufacturing tariffs, slash farm subsidies and open trade in services.