. /.WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/C/W/461
21 March 2003
(03-1668)
Council for Trade in Goods
INTRODUCTION OF HARMONIZED SYSTEM 1996 CHANGES
INTO WTO SCHEDULES OF TARIFF CONCESSIONS
Morocco – Schedule LXXXI
Draft Decision
The General Council,
Considering  that the Members of the WTO, by their Decisions of 13 December 1995,
18 July 1996, 24 April 1997, 22 October 1997, 24 April 1998, 14 October 1998, 15 June 1999,
3 May 2000, 8 December 2000, 8 May 2001, 13 May 2002 and 15 October 20021, acting pursuant to
the provisions of paragraph 3 of Article IX of the WTO Agreement, suspended the application of the
provisions of Article II of the GATT 1994 until 30 April 2003, for the purpose of enabling the
Members listed in the Annex to implement the recommended amendments to the Harmonized System
nomenclature;
Considering  that in their Decision of 8 May 2001, the WTO Members also agreed to grant a
waiver on a collective basis for the last time, but that this would not preclude Members from
requesting waivers on an individual basis;
Noting  that Morocco has requested a waiver for reasons explained in its request2;
Considering  that Morocco would need more time to proceed with consultations or possible
Article XXVIII negotiations;
Acting  pursuant to the provisions of paragraph 3 of Article IX of the WTO Agreement,
Decides , in view of the exceptional circumstances, to suspend the application of the
provisions of Article II of the GATT 1994 until 31 October 2003, for the purpose of enabling
Morocco to implement the recommended amendments to the Harmonized System nomenclature,subject to the following conditions:
(i) Morocco shall, if necessary, promptly enter into negotiations and consultations with
interested Members pursuant to paragraphs 1-3 of Article XXVIII of the GATT 1994;
(ii) the negotiations and consultations mentioned above shall be completed no later than
31 October 2003;
                                                          
1 WT/L/124 + Corr.1, WT/L/173, WT/L/216, WT/L/243, WT/L/268, WT/L/281, WT/L/303,
WT/L/338, WT/L/351, WT/L/379, WT/L/400, WT/L/462 and WT/L/488.
2 G/L/616.G/C/W/461
Page 2
(iii) pending the entry into force of the results of the negotiations or consultations
mentioned above, the other Members will be free to suspend concessions initially
negotiated with Morocco to the extent that they consider that adequate compensation
is not offered by Morocco.
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