RESTRICTEDWORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/SCM/Q2/ARG/14
25 January 1999
(99-0254)
Committee on Subsidies
and Countervailing MeasuresOriginal:  English
SUBSIDIES
Questions from the EUROPEAN COMMUNITY Regarding
the New and Full Notification of ARGENTINA1
The following communication, dated 15 January 1999, has been received from the Permanent
Delegation of the European Commission.
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Argentina submitted on 17 November 1998 its new and full notification of subsidy
programmes to the WTO pursuant to Article XVI:1 GATT 1994 and Article 25 of the WTO Subsidies
Agreement.  In this respect, the European Communities would like to obtain clarification on a number
of issues on the notified schemes as described below.  The Community also requests further
clarification on a number of programmes which appear to be specific and were not included in the
notification.
I. NOTIFIED SUBSIDY PROGRAMMES
A. PATAGONIAN PORTS
- Argentina states that this programme will be gradually eliminated as from 31 December 1999.
Can Argentina confirm that this programme will phase out by 2003?
B. FREE ZONES
- According to the policy objective in Argentina's notification, this programme appears to be
contingent upon export performance.  Could Argentina explain whether export activity is a
condition to be eligible for benefits under this programme?  If export activity is a
requirement, could Argentina provide the table how this programme will be phased out?
- Pursuant to Law 24331 of 1994, the Argentinean authorities can establish one free zone per
province.  Have free trade zones been set up in the 23 provinces?
- Could Argentina explain whether the Special Customs Area of Tierra del Fuego falls within
this programme?
II. NON-NOTIFIED PROGRAMMES
1. Import duty exemption under the temporary admission regime (Solicitud de Tipificación por
Admisión) pursuant to Decree 1439.
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1 G/SCM/N/38/ARG