WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONWT/REG158/N/1
S/C/N/233
1 October 2003
(03-5148)
Committee on Regional Trade Agreements
Council for Trade in ServicesOriginal:  English
SINGAPORE – AUSTRALIA FREE TRADE AGREEMENT
Notification from the Parties to the Agreement
The following joint communication, dated 25 September 2003, has been received from the
Permanent Delegations of Australia and Singapore with the request that it be distributed to WTO
Members.
_______________
Notification Pursuant to Article XXIV:7(a) of GATT 1994 and Article V:7(a) of the GATS
The Permanent Mission of Australia in Geneva and the Permanent Mission of Singapore to
the United Nations office in Geneva have the honour to notify to the Members of the WTO that theirrespective authorities have signed  the Singapore-Australia Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA).
1
SAFTA contains provisions relating to trade in goods and trade in services that are of
relevance to the Members of the WTO.  SAFTA has established a free-trade area within the meaning
of Article XXIV of the GATT 1994.  SAFTA also provides for the liberalisation of trade in services
within the meaning of Article V of the GATS.
SAFTA was concluded on 17 February 2003, and entered into force on 28 July 2003.  The
duration of the agreement is indefinite.
This joint notification is presented:
(i) pursuant to part (a) of paragraph 7 of Article XXIV of GATT 1994 and the
Understanding on the Interpretation of Article XXIV of GATT 1994; and
(ii) in accordance with paragraph 7(a) of Article V of the GATS (Economic Integration).
In this regard we are pleased to advise that the agencies responsible for the implementation
and enforcement of SAFTA are the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Australia and the
Ministry of Trade and Industry of Singapore.
Australia and Singapore wish to express their willingness to contribute to the process of
examination in accordance with the procedures agreed upon in the Committee on Regional Trade
Agreements.
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1 The full text of SAFTA will be circulated in document WT/REG158/1 and is also available at:
http://www.dfat.gov.au/trade/negotiations/safta/index.html  and
http://www.mti.gov.sg/public/FTA/frm_FTA_Default.asp?sid=35