Natural rubber exporting and importing countries today decided to extend the deadline of signature of the International Natural Rubber Agreement (INRA), 1995 until 31 July 1996 inclusive. This decision was taken at a half day meeting of the United Nations Conference on Natural Rubber held under UNCTAD´s auspices.
A resolution adopted today explains that the extension of the deadline for signature, previously set for 28 December 1995, follows "statements made by certain Governments indicating their wish to sign the Agreement if this were made possible".
In concluding the meeting, the President, Peter Lai (Malaysia), urged those countries which have not taken action to join the Agreement to do so in order to bring it into force "as soon as possible and before 1 January 1997", as stated also in the resolution. So far the Agreement has been signed by the four main exporting countries - Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and Sri Lanka - and by two major importers - the European Union and Japan. The world´s leading importer of natural rubber - the United States of America - participated in the meeting.
The new Agreement was negotiated in UNCTAD and adopted on 17 February 1995.Its objectives and main features are summarized in a press release issued on 4 March 1996 (TAD/INF/2639).
