NAIROBI (KBC) – World trade negotiations are back on track after officials meeting in Davos agreed a new timetable to achieve an agreement this year.

The "work program" outlines a precise timetable for 33 contentious subjects from agriculture to aid for trade.

The breakthrough was a deal to move on all key issues - agriculture, services and manufacturing - at the same time.

The U.S. trade representative said there was now "an unparalleled opportunity to boost the global economy".

This would lift millions out of poverty, said Robert Portman.

EU trade commissioner Peter Mandelson spoke of a "better mood" at the negotiating table.

They were speaking after an informal meeting of trade officials from about 25 nations on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum.

In the run-up to Saturday's agreement trade officials from the EU, U.S. and developing nations had engaged in a furious series of briefings blaming each other for stalling the talks by demanding that the issues closest to their interests be resolved first.

The timetable is designed to break this cycle and set "a significant change in pace, style and content of negotiations," said Egyptian Trade Minister Rachid Rachid, who also speaks for the African nations in the world trade round.

Both Mr Portman and Mr Mandelson described it as "moving all issues in concert".

The new found agreement, however, did not stop trade officials from taking pot shots at each other during an afternoon of media briefings - pointing out alleged inconsistencies or lack of flexibility in each others' positions.

Mr Mandelson spoke of a lack of movement on agricultural tariffs, the danger that the service sector might be "left behind", and warned a trade deal would be achievable only if everybody were to gain from it.

Indian Trade Minister Kamal Nath underlined that the European Union and United States had to give way on agricultural subsidies.