Debt on Genoa Summit Agenda

According to Reuters, officials meeting in Palermo on the 17th February, 2001will add debt, reform of the international financial architecture, reform of the World Bank and other development banks, and money laundering to the agenda of the G8 Summit in Genoa in late July.

G7 finance ministries will prepare a report by April on the role of the World Bank and other development banks, and will discuss G7 co-ordination with international financial institutions. "In order to foster the development of less developed countries, the G8 will discuss how to increase trade liberalisation, elmination of trade barriers in agriculture and textiles". According to a G7 source, the US seems to favour these measures. The G8 will also consider further aid packages to less developed countries to assist their educational and health systems.