INFORMAL TALKS ON TRADE FACILITATION KICK OFF
On 2 November, WTO Members held an informal meeting on trade facilitation. The meeting was the first one following the decision by Members on 1 August (WT/L/579) to launch talks on trade facilitation, while dropping the rest of the controversial Singapore issues (investment, competition policy and transparency in government procurement). During the informal meeting, delegates focused on a draft work programme and schedule of meetings for the upcoming negotiations proposed by Chair Yacob Muhamed Noor (Malaysia). Topics proposed for the formal sessions included: the clarification and improvement of relevant aspects of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade; enhancement of technical assistance and support for capacity-building in developing countries; effective cooperation between customs and other appropriate authorities on trade facilitation; customs compliance issues; cooperation with relevant international organisations on the issue; and special and differential treatment for developing countries. Members also wanted to discuss concerns related to cost implications of proposed measures. They generally supported the Chair’s approach.
The first formal session of the negotiating group will be held on 15 November, and an additional session has been scheduled for 22-23 November. According to sources, the 15 November meeting is set to take a decision on the work plan and schedule. The detailed schedule of meetings for 2005 will be decided at a later date. Reportedly, the Chair proposed scheduling trade facilitation meetings back to back with the Negotiating Group on Non-Agricultural Market Access (NAMA), as the two areas are closely linked and the trade facilitation meetings could benefit from the presence of capital-based officials attending NAMA meetings.
ICTSD reporting.