RESTRICTED
WORLD TRADE WT/COMTD/W/25
12May 1997
ORGANIZATION(97-1992)
Committee onTrade andDevelopment
Sixteenth Session
WTO PROGRAMME FOR TECHNICAL COOPERATION
Three-Year Plan (1997-1999)
Note bytheSecretariat
1. The guidelines forWTO technical cooperation adopted bytheCommittee onTrade and
Development on15October 1996, require thatthethree-year planfortechnical cooperation beapproved
bytheCommittee onTrade andDevelopment. Accordingly theplanhasbeen drawn upfortheperiod
1997-1999 andisattached.
2. Itshould benoted thattheWTO Secretariat devotes very substantial resources toproviding
technical assistance andcooperation from headquarters through (i)contacts withdelegations andcapital-
based representatives inGeneva (also inseminar format), including, occasionally, atthelevel of
Ministers, and(ii)direct contacts with capital-based officials viatelecommunications. These activities
areusually inresponse torequests forassistance intheresolution ofspecific issues andproblems of
theMembers concerned. Examples may bedrawn from thework ofvarious Divisions such asthe
Agriculture Division, theRules Division, theAccessions Division, andtheTechnical Cooperation and
Training Division itself. Theattached plan does notcover allofthese activities, butonly shows the
Secretariat 'sactivities astheyinvolve missions tocapitals, and, asinthecaseoftheTRIPs Workshop,
events where funding hasbeen provided forexperts from capitals totravel toGeneva. Training activities
constitute animportant subset ofWTO technical cooperation activities. They aredealt with inanannex
tothisnote.
3. Itwould beseenthatthe1997 planisdetailed indicating thevarious events, sources offunding,
theDivision orDivisions incharge ofimplementation andrelevant comments. Inrespect oftheyears
1998 and1999, atthisstage itispossible togive only ageneral idea oftheprogramme mentioning
thesubjects andtheregions totheextent possible. Theintention would betopresent amore detailed
programme forthesubsequent years nearer thetime, thatisatthelastmeeting oftheCTD forthe
preceding year.
4. Manyactorsareinvolvedineachoftheeventslistedinthe1997plan.TheTechnicalCooperation
andTraining Division, astheprincipal executing unitandoverall organizer andcoordinator ofthe
activities; other substantive Divisions, whose participation isnecessary duetotheir expertise inthe
particular area; thehost country; funding resources; andthebeneficiary countries themselves. The
interaction required among these actors isanimportant factor inthedetermination ofexact dates,
coverage, participation anddocumentation fortheparticular events.
5. Inlight oftheabove, inrespect of1997 also, while specific programmes have been listed,
theexact date ofprogrammes tobetaken upinthelater partoftheyear isnotyetavailable ineach
case. Some amount offlexibility isneeded inorder toallow forsuch factors astheconvenience of
thehost government.WT/COMTD/W/25
Page 2
6. Anoverview ofthe1997 plan (over 148activities) shows thatalittle over eighteen percent
ofthem (27events) reflect theinterest ofMembers forgeneral dissemination ofinformation onWTO
andthemultilateral trading system, whilst another sixteen percent (24activities) areaddressed, at
their request, tocountries inaccession. Twenty seven percent (40activities) cover theareas of
intellectual property, investment, competition policy, government procurement andvarious issues under
theGATS. Onitspart, specialized issues such asrules, agriculture andSPS, technical barriers totrade,
market access anddispute settlement are,inturn, thesubject ofalmost thirty percent(44activities)
oftheplan. Over thirteen percentofactivities (20)aredirectly addressed toLDCs, anditisforeseen
thatmore arelikely tobecarried outbefore theendoftheyear, andfivepercent(8activities) ofthe
plan ispresently under theIntegrated Technical Assistance Programme forSelected Least-Developed
andOther African Countries. Thecorresponding approximate budgetary allocation forthese activities
isasfollows: General dissemination SF557,000; Accessions SF175,000; TRIPs, Investment and
Competition Policy SF300,000; GATS SF585,000; Specialized issues SF1,120,000; andLDCs overall
SF680,000.
7. While theeffort willbetoimplement allthelisted programmes insome cases thismay not
bepossible because ofeither delay inresponse from thebeneficiary countries orsuch exigencies as
alarge number ofdispute settlement panels requiring attention.
8. The technical cooperation programmes arefinanced from theWTO budget fortechnical
cooperation, andfrom extra-budgetary contributions. Thevery large number ofactivities undertaken
andprogrammed for1997, andforsubsequent years, hasbeen made possible through thegenerosity
ofdonor countries. Insome cases thefunds donotpass through theWTO atallandthesponsoring
governments orinstitutions bear theexpenses directly.
9. Attheendoftheannual plan for1997 asummary ofexpenditure from each source hasbeen
given. Inrespect oftheWTO budgetary allocation fortechnical cooperation thetotal reflected inthe
actual plan isSF611,057 asagainst thebudgetary allocation ofSF741,000. Theremaining amount
isbeing kept inreserve.WT/COMTD/W/25
Page 3
TABLE
THREE YEAR PROGRAMME FOR TECHNICAL COOPERATION
1997-1999
Explanatory Notes toTable on1997
1. TheTable presents detailed information onalltechnical cooperation activities undertaken by
theWTO Secretariat fortheperiod 1January to31December 1997. Theinformation contained
intheTable issubject tocontinuous adjustments inthelight ofdevelopments such as
confirmation ofspecific dates, new requests fortechnical cooperation activities, andthe
possibility ofcancellation orreformulation ofothers.
2. TheTable contains thefollowing columns:
- Thefirst column isaconsecutive number foreach activity;
- Thesecond column isachronological listing with adescription ofeach activity;
- Thethird column contains information onthesource offunding, whether from the
WTOordinarybudgetorfromdifferentextra-budgetaryresources;thefollowingapplies:
WTO/TC . WTO Budget allocation forTechnical Cooperation Missions; this
allocation isused only fortravel expenses ofWTO officials/experts and/or outside
consultants.
Norway Funds .Avoluntary, extra-budgetary contribution oftheGovernment of
Norwaytocovertechnicalcooperationactivitieswithleast-developedcountriesprimarily,
andother African countries south oftheSahara.
ECTradeRemediesFunds.Avoluntary,extra-budgetarycontributionoftheEuropean
Commission fortechnical cooperation activities inthearea oftrade remedies.
New Zealand Funds .Avoluntary, extra-budgetary contribution oftheGovernment
ofNew Zealand, fortraining andtechnical cooperation activities with small Pacific
island countries.
Netherlands Funds .Avoluntary, extra-budgetary contribution from theGovernment
ofThe Netherlands fortechnical cooperation activities with developing countries,
including least-developed, andeconomies intransition.
Government of... Indicates thattheGovernment referred tohasundertaken the
organization andfunding ofthecorresponding event. When itappears along with the
WTO/TC reference itindicates thatWTO officials/experts/lecturers have been financed
through theWTO Technical Cooperation Missions budget.WT/COMTD/W/25
Page 4
Host country/Hosts/Organizers . When oneofthese references appear, itmeans
thattravel expenses ofWTO officials/experts have been fully covered bytherelevant
institution. When itappears along with theWTO/TC reference, itmeans thatcosts
have been shared.
- The fourth column shows theSecretariat Division(s) mainly concerned with the
corresponding activity;
- Thefinal column contains comments, asappropriate.
3. Anumber ofexpressions andabbreviations areused throughout theTable. Thefollowing is
abrief explanation ofthem:
Integrated Programme .WTO/UNCTAD/ITC Integrated Technical Assistance Programme
forSelected Least-Developed andOther African Countries.
This isaProgramme jointly developed bythethree organizations andadopted inMay 1996,
inresponse totheurgent needs ofleast-developed andother African countries andtocalls for
improved coordination andcooperation among international organizations. Countries covered
are:Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, Tunisia andUganda.
IDB: Islamic Development Bank
IADB: Inter-American Development Bank
ADB : Asian Development Bank
IICA : Inter-American Institute forCooperation inAgriculture
ITC: International Trade Centre UNCTAD/WTO
TCTD Technical Cooperation andTraining Division
AgD Agriculture andCommodities Division
RD Rules Division
IPID Intellectual Property andInvestment Division
AccD Accessions Division
LegD Legal Affairs Division
MAcc Market Access Division
ERAD Economic Research andAnalysis Division
TSD Trade inServices Division
TED Trade andEnvironment Division
DD Development Division
Textiles Textiles DivisionWT/COMTD/W/25
Page 5Three-Year Programme forTechnical Cooperation -1997
Technical Cooperation Missions Funding Execution Comments
1 8-10 January 1997 Senegal Islamic Development Bank Regional
Workshop forAfrican CountriesIDB WTO/TC TCTD
2 15-17 January 1997 Singapore WIPO Asian Regional Round Table onthe
Implementation oftheAgreement onTRIPsWIPO IPID Noexpense forWTO
3 20-21 January 1997 Panama Business Guide with ITC ITC TCTD Noexpense forWTO
4 21-23 January 1997 Zimbabwe Regional Seminar ontheAgreement on
Agriculture (12South African Countries, incl. some
LDCs)WTO/TC AgD Organized byFAO.
5 23-24 January 1997 ElSalvador Business Guide with ITC ITC TCTD Noexpense forWTO
6 3-7February 1997 Haiti WTO National Seminar Norway Funds TCTD
7 4February 1997 United States Free Trade Area oftheAmericas
(FTAA) Workshop onGovernment ProcurementWTO/TC IPID
8 4-5February 1997 Brazil Second Workshop onMultilateral Rules on
Investment organized bytheOECD, andco-sponsored
byBrazil, Canada andtheOASWTO/TC IPID
9 18-21 February 1997 Taiwan Anti-Dumping Workshop forTaiwanese
investigating authorities.Host country RD Noexpense forWTO
10 24-28 February 97 Mali WTO National Seminar Norway Funds TCTD Aspects related toupdating of
Tariff Schedules including HS
transposition were also
discussed.
11 2-6March 1997 Palestinian Authority UNCTAD/UNDP Workshop on
theEmerging International Trading System andits
Implications forthePalestinian EconomyWTO/TC LegD
12 3-7March 1997 Niger WTO National Seminar Norway Funds TCTD Aspects related toupdating of
Tariff Schedules including HS
transposition were also
discussed.
13 3-7March 1997 Côted'Ivoire Premi èreRéunion Préparatoire du
Premier Symposium Francophone surl'Efficacit é
CommercialeWTO/TC ERAD
14 3-7March 1997 Argentina WTO Anti-Dumping Workshop for
Investigating AgenciesECTrade Remedies Funds
WTO/TCRDWT/COMTD/W/25
Page 6Technical Cooperation Missions Funding Execution Comments
15 5-7March 1997 Tanzania WIPO Regional Symposium forAfrican
English-speaking countries ontheeconomic
importance ofIntellectual Property andon
enforcement ofrights under theTRIPs Agreement.WIPO IPID Noexpense forWTO.
16 9-13 March 1997 Tunisia Joint WTO/UNCTAD/ITC Project Document
MissionWTO/TC TCTD Integrated Programme.
Mission onfinalization of
project document jointly
agreed byWTO, UNCTAD,
theITC, theUNDP andthe
Tunisian Government.
17 10-12 March 1997 Brazil WTO National Seminar onDumping Margin
CalculationWTO/TC RD
18 10-11 March 1997 Venezuela National Seminar ontheAgreement on
AgricultureWTO/TC AgD Seminar related tothedraft
Agriculture Legislation of
Venezuela, entitled ''Draft
Law ontheDevelopment of
theAgriculture Sector ''.
19 11-13 March 1997 Malaysia WIPO Asian Regional Symposium onthe
Agreement ontheTrade-Related Aspects of
Intellectual Property RightsWIPO IPID Noexpense forWTO.
20 12-14 March 1997 Colombia WIPO Regional Symposium forLatin
American andCaribbean countries ontheeconomic
importance ofIntellectual Property Rights andon
enforcement under theTRIPs AgreementWIPO IPID Noexpense forWTO
21 17-21 March 1997 Mauritius Technical Assistance forpreparation of
anti-dumping andcountervailing duties legislation.WTO/TC RD
22 17-21 March 1997 Brazil Anti-Dumping andCountervailing Duties
Workshop forLatin American newcomers toanti-
dumping activities.IADB WTO/TC RD
23 17-22 March 1997 China Technical Mission inrelation toChina 's
accession toWTOWTO/TC RDAgD
LegDMain activity wason
subsidies andcountervailing
measures.
24 17-22 March 1997 Netherlands Antilles andAruba WTO National
Seminar andTrade Associations 'ConferenceWTO/TC TCTD TSD
25 18-20 March 1997 Cuba Seminar onServices WTO/TC DDWT/COMTD/W/25
Page 7Technical Cooperation Missions Funding Execution Comments
26 18-21 March 1997 Indonesia Regional Seminar forAsian Developing
CountriesGovernment ofJapan
WTO/TCTCTD TSD
RDLegDThird annual Regional
Seminar forAsian developing
countries.
27 22-23 March 1997 Egypt Discussions onimplementation oftheTRIPs
Agreement with theEgyptian GovernmentWTO/TC IPID
28 25-26 March 1997 Lebanon Chambre decommerce franco-arabe -
Symposium ontheevolution ofIntellectual Property
Rights.Host country WTO/TC IPID
29 31March-1 Apr. 1997 Chinese Taipei APEC Government Procurement
Seminar onremedy system and/or bidchallenge
procedures organized bytheGovernment ofTaipei
under theAPEC 'sframeworkAPEC IPID NocosttoWTO.
30 March 1997 India (Goa) WCO, Asian Regional HSSeminar WTO/TC MAcc
31 3-4April 1997 Colombia International Seminar ontheAgreement on
Agriculture -speakers from theAmericasWTO/TC AgD Organized bytheColombian
Ministry ofTrade in
collaboration with theInter
American Institute of
Cooperation inAgriculture
32 7-8April 1997 Argentina Round table onTRIPs organized bythe
Argentine Patent Office (INPI) forHeads of
MERCOSUR industrial property offices.WTO/TC IPID
33 7-12 April 1997 Burkina Faso WTO National Seminar. Business Guide
Seminar with ITCNorway Funds
ITCTCTD MAcc Integrated Programme. This
mission included aWTO
national Seminar, ITC
Business Guide Seminars in
twocities andaTechnical
mission ontheupdating of
Tariff Schedules incl.
transposition tothe
Harmonized System.
34 13-15 April 1997 Senegal World Bank Seminar on''The GATT/WTO
anditsimplications forTrade Policy inWest Africa ''Norway Funds DD Participation ofoneWTO
lecturer intheWorld Bank
Seminar
35 18-19 April 1997 Venezuela Technical Mission forCentral Bank on
Financial ServicesWTO/TC TSDWT/COMTD/W/25
Page 8Technical Cooperation Missions Funding Execution Comments
36 21-22 April 1997 Peru Technical Mission foradvice tomembers of
theAndean Pact onaframework Agreement ofGATSWTO/TC TSD
37 22-24 April 1997 Benin WIPO regional African Workshop onthe
TRIPs AgreementWIPO IPID NocosttoWTO.
38 23-24 April 1997 Singapore Technical Mission onDispute Settlement APEC LegD NocosttoWTO
39 28-29 April 1997 Brazil Workshop onRegional Trade Agreements. Hosts TCTD NocosttoWTO.
40 28April-2 May 1997 Ghana WCO African Regional HSSeminar Norway Funds MAcc
41 17-18 April 1997 Tanzania Technical Cooperation ondrafting abasic
telecommunications scheduleNorway Funds TSD
42 22-24 April 1997 Zimbabwe Seminar onTelecommunications
Development inSub-Saharan Africa.Norway Funds Organizers TSD This Seminar wasorganized
byanumber ofpublic and
private organizations (ITU,
Telecom Malaysia, World
Bank, etc.) with theobjective
ofexamining
telecommunications
development andstrategies in
Sub-Saharan Africa. Sponsors
financed fullexpenses ofone
WTO Expert.
43 April 1997 Guatemala TBT Seminar organized byOAS for
Central American CountriesWTO/TC TED
44 21April-2 May 1997 FijiRegional Training Seminar ontheWTO andthe
Multilateral Trading System forAsia-Pacific Island
CountriesNew Zealand Funds TCTD AccD
45 5-6May 1997 Saudi Arabia Technical Mission onmarket access in
connection with AccessionWTO/TC MAcc
46 6-9May 1997 Senegal Fact-finding Technical Mission (Subsidies,
Anti-Dumping, Customs Valuation andMarket
Access)Norway Funds TCTD RD
MAccThis mission wasrequested
bytheMinister ofIndustry
onhisvisit totheDirector
General inMarch.WT/COMTD/W/25
Page 9Technical Cooperation Missions Funding Execution Comments
47 13-16 May 1997 Senegal First Seminar
onTrade Policy Instruments forofficials from LDCs
andother developing countries inAfrica (French-
speaking) -(Anti-dumping, subsidies and
countervailing measures, safeguards).Norway Funds RD Inorder toincrease the
benefits from theSeminar, it
willbefollowed upby
individual country missions.
48 12-16 May 1997 Cambodia National Seminar ontheWTO andthe
Multilateral Trading SystemNorway Funds TCTD
49 14-16 May 1997 Morocco Development intheInformation Age:
Workshop onprivate participation in
Telecommunications.WTO/TC TSD
50 21-23 May 1997 Ukraine Black SeaEconomic Council, Seminar on
WTO andUruguay Round Agreements (Members of
BSEC are:Albania, Armenia, Azerbaidjan, Bulgaria,
Georgia, Greece, Moldova, Russian Federation,
Turkey andUkraine).WTO/TC AccD TCTD
DD
51 26-28 May 1997 Venezuela Regional Seminar ontheimplementation
oftheAgreement onAgriculture -ANDEAN Group
(Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru andVenezuela).WTO/TC AgD
52 May 1997 Kenya Third Mission forpreparation ofanti-dumping
andcountervailing duties legislation.IMF RD
53 May 1997 Uruguay National High-Level Seminar ontheWTO
andtheMultilateral Trading SystemWTO/TC Tobereviewed interms of
overall priorities.
54 May-June 1997 Israel WTO National Seminar ontheGATS and
Financial ServicesWTO/TC TSD
55 May-June 1997 Botswana National Seminar onWTO andBusiness
Guide with ITCNorway Funds TCTD This mission wasrequested
byBotswana atthetime of
theSingapore Ministerial
Meeting.
56 2-4June 1997 Dominican Republic Technical Mission on
Harmonized System andArt. XXVIII renegotiationsNetherlands Funds MAcc Subject toDutch approval.
57 2-6June 1997 Colombia SELA Regional Workshop onMarket
Access andCustoms IssuesIADB/SELA Fund
WTO/TCTCTD MAcc
58 2-21 June 1997 Rep. ofKorea Course onSelected WTO Agreements Government ofKorea
WTO/TCRDOutside consultants
59 3-5June 1997 Nepal National Seminar ontheWTO andthe
Multilateral Trading SystemNorway Funds TCTDWT/COMTD/W/25
Page 10Technical Cooperation Missions Funding Execution Comments
60 5-6June 1997 Kazakstan Regional Conference oncurrent trends in
thetelecommunications industry.WTO/TC TSD
61 6-9June 1997 Surinam Technical Mission onHarmonized System
andSchedulesNetherlands Funds MAcc Subject toDutch approval.
extension ofmission tothe
Dominican Republic.
62 7-10 June 1997 Saudi Arabia Seminar onassistance toIslamic
Development Bank Member Countries onAccession
toWTO andimplementation ofUruguay Round
Agreements.WTO/TC AccD TCTD 31countries members ofthe
IDB arealsomembers of
WTO, while eight other are
intheprocess ofWTO
accession.
63 9-12 June 1997 Malaysia Participation intheconference sponsored
bytheCommonwealth Secretariat onTrade Policy
with particular reference toTelecommunications.WTO/TC TSD
64 Week 16June 1997 Benin Technical Workshop onImplementation of
URAgreements (Customs matters andTrade in
Services).Norway Funds MAcc TSD Integrated Programme
65 17-19 June 1997 Jordan WIPO Regional Symposium onthesubject of
theTRIPs AgreementWIPO IPID NocosttoWTO
66 17-20 June 1997 Uzbekistan Training Course forEconomies in
Transition organized byESCAPWTO/TC Consultant
67 19-20 June 1997 Morocco Regional Workshop onInvestment for
African countries.WTO/TC IPID
68 23-27 June 1997 Geneva TRIPs Workshop forLDCs andother Sub-
Saharan Developing Countries (devoted toFrench
speaking countries)Norway Funds TCTD IPID
69 23-27 June 1997 Uruguay Seminar onInternational Negotiations ina
Multilateral FrameworkEuropean Institute forPublic
Administration/Training Center
forRegional IntegrationTCTD NocosttoWTO.
70 26-27 June 1997 Côte d'Ivoire Technical Workshop on
Implementation (Customs matters andTrade in
Services)Norway Funds MAcc TSD Integrated Programme
71 June 1997 Tunisia Business Guide Seminars with ITC ITC TCTD Seminars under theIntegrated
Programme willbeheld in
three different cities in
Tunisia. Noexpense for
WTO.WT/COMTD/W/25
Page 11Technical Cooperation Missions Funding Execution Comments
72 9-12 June 1997 Ghana Technical Workshop onImplementation ofUR
Agreements Customs /Services /TBTNorway Funds TED TSD
MAccActivities under the
Integrated Programme in
these twocountries, andin
Uganda andTanzania (see
items 80and84below) have
reached astage where
Seminars willcover specific
subjects inadetailed manner.
73 June 1997 Kenya Technical Workshop onImplementation ofUR
Agreements Customs /Services /TextilesWTO/TC TexD TSD
MAcc
74 June 1997 New Zealand Workshop onUruguay Round
Agreements forPacific Island Forum Countries
organized bytheCommonwealth Secretariat.WTO/TC TCTD
75 June 1997 Colombia Regional SPSSeminar (WTO) -ANDEAN
countriesNetherlands Funds AgD Financing subject toDutch
approval.
76 June 1997 Belarus Technical Assistance Mission inconnection
with AccessionWTO/TC MAcc
77 7-10 July 1997 Uganda Technical Workshop onImplementation of
URAgreementsNorway Funds TCTD MAcc Integrated Programme
78 Week 13July 1997 Côte d'Ivoire First Seminar onMarket Access
Issues, especially Customs Valuation andRules of
Origin forofficials from LDC andother developing
countries inAfrica (French-speaking).Norway Funds MAcc TCTD Atotal of38participants
from 20LDC andother
African countries willtake
partinthisSeminar.
79 14-18 July 1997 Lao National Seminar ontheWTO andthe
Multilateral Trading SystemNorway Funds TCTD
80 21-25 July 1997 Germany Joint TBT Seminar with ISOandITC for
Eastern European Countries inBerlinWTO/TC TED
81 28-30 July 1997 Tanzania Technical Workshop onImplementation of
URAgreementsNorway Funds TCTD MAcc Integrated Programme
82 July 1997 Thailand Training Course onDispute Settlement .WTO/TC Government of
ThailandLegD
83 July 1997 Russian Federation Anti-Dumping and
Countervailing Duties Workshop forRussian
Federation Government Officials.ECTrade Remedies Funds
WTO/TCRD
84 August 1997 Indonesia Anti-Dumping andCountervailing Duties
Workshop forIndonesian investigating authorities.ECTrade Remedies Funds RDWT/COMTD/W/25
Page 12Technical Cooperation Missions Funding Execution Comments
85 August 1997 Caribbean Caribbean Telecommunications Union
Workshop -lateBasic Telecommunications offers,
improvement ofoffers, etc.Netherlands Funds TSD Subject toDutch approval
86 August-Sept. 1997 Caribbean Regional SPSSeminar -25-28 countries Netherlands Funds AgD Subject toDutch approval
87 August-Sept. 1997 Cuba Technical Seminar onimplementation of
Agriculture andTBT Agreements andonNotifications
Requirements.Netherlands Funds AgD Tentatively scheduled last
year, then postponed. This
mission could bedone back-
to-back with themission
above. Subject toDutch
approval.
88 Aug.-Sept. 1997 India Regional SPSSeminar (with Codex/OIE/IPPC)
-8countries (Bangladesh, SriLanka, Pakistan,
Myanmar, andtwoothers)WTO/TC AgD Funding forLDC participants
isbeing considered under the
Norway Funds.
89 September 1997 Kuwait National Seminar onImplementation of
WTO AgreementsWTO/TC TCTD
90 September 1997 Tunisia WTO National Workshop onFinancial
ServicesWTO/TC TSD Integrated Programme
91 September 1997 Zimbabwe WTO Rules Seminar forEnglish-speaking
East-African countries.Norway Funds RD This isthesecond (English)
regional Seminar onRules
organized under theNorway
Funds forofficials from
least-developed andother
African countries (seeabove
50). Tobefollowed by
individual country missions in
1998.
92 Sept.-Oct. 1997 Uruguay Regional SPSSeminar (WTO) -4-6
countriesNetherlands Funds AgD Requested byvarious
countries intheregion. Tobe
organized byIICA. Subject
toDutch approval.
93 6-9October 1997 Brazil New Services andTechnologies in
Telecommunications.Brazilian Telecommunication
CommunityTSD NocosttoWTO.WT/COMTD/W/25
Page 13Technical Cooperation Missions Funding Execution Comments
94 20-21 October 1997 Geneva ECE/ESCAP/WTO Joint Conference ontheprogress intheWTO Multilateral
Trade Agreements anditsImplications forTransition EconomiesThis meeting isbeing
organized inGeneva bythe
Economic Commission for
Europe. Noexpense is
involved forWTO.
95 21-23 October 1997 Egypt Symposium on'Challenges inIntellectual
Property Protection: International andArab World
Perspectives '.WTO/TC IPID
96 Week of20Oct. 1997 Tunisia Joint TBT Seminar ISOandITC forMiddle
Eastern countries.WTO/TC TED
97 Autumn 1997 (2days) South Pacific /Asia Regional SPSSeminar (with
Codex/OIE/IPPC) - 6-8countriesWTO/TC Netherlands
FundsAgD Subject toDutch approval.
98 October 1997 Africa French-speaking Regional Seminar on
implementation oftheAgriculture Agreement
organized incollaboration between WTO andthe
World Bank.Norway Funds AgD
99 November 1997 Africa WTO/World Bank Regional Seminar on
implementation oftheAgriculture Agreement.
Organized incollaboration with World Bank.Norway Funds AgD
100 Oct./Nov. 1997 Africa Regional Seminar onMarket Access
including Customs Valuation andRules ofOrigin
(English-speaking)Norway Funds TCTD MAcc
101 November 1997 Nigeria WTO Seminar ontheSPSAgreement WTO/TC AgD
102 November 1997 Anti-Dumping andCountervailing Duties Workshop
forEast-Asian countries.Asian Development Bank RD
103 November 1997 Thailand Advanced Training Course onDispute
Settlement (five days)Netherlands Funds
Government ofThailandLegD Subject toDutch approval.
104 Week of1stDec. 1997 India Joint Regional TBT Seminar with ISOand
ITC forSouthern AsiaNetherlands Funds TED Subject toDutch approval.
105 2ndsemester 1997 Mauritius Technical Workshop onImplementation
oftheUruguay Round AgreementsWTO/TC TCTD
Textiles
106 2ndsemester 1997 Workshop onAnti-dumping andCountervailing
Investigations forofficials inCentral andEastern
European countries.Netherlands Funds RD Subject toDutch approval.
Host country tobe
determined.
107 2ndsemester 1997 Anumber offurther activities under theIntegrated
Programme areforeseen forseven countries.Norway Funds Various WTO
DivisionsIntegrated ProgrammeWT/COMTD/W/25
Page 14Technical Cooperation Missions Funding Execution Comments
Dates tobeagreed inthesecond semester of1997 for
thefollowing activities:
108 EndOctober 1997 Thailand Asia Pacific Telecommunity Seminar WTO/TC TSD
109 Bahrain Technical Mission onImplementation WTO/TC
110 Qatar Technical Mission onImplementation WTO/TC
111 Joint WIPO/WTO Thematic Workshop onTechnical
Cooperation intheTRIPs area.WIPO/WTO IPID
112 Autumn 1997 Regional Seminar onInvestments UNCTAD/Netherlands Funds IPID Subject toDutch approval.
113 Autumn 1997 Perú National Technical Mission onSubsidies in
theagricultural sectorWTO/TC AgD
114 Autumn 1997 Regional Seminar onInvestments UNCTAD/Netherlands Funds IPID Subject toDutch approval.
115 Autumn 1997 Geneva Area Seminar onInvestments forGeneva-
based delegates.UNCTAD/Netherlands Funds IPID Subject toDutch approval.
116 Autumn 1997 Geneva Area Seminar oncompetition policy for
Geneva-based delegates.UNCTAD/Netherlands Funds IPID Subject toDutch approval.
117 Egypt Technical Mission onImplementation WTO/TC TCTD MAcc
118 Malta Sub-Regional Seminar WTO/TC TCTD
119 Kuwait National Seminar onWTO andtheUruguay
Round AgreementsWTO/TC TCTD
120 Bulgaria Technical Mission onImplementation. Netherlands Funds TCTD MAcc
TSD
121 ARegional Seminar fortheACP countries inthe
Caribbean including theNetherlands Antilles and
SurinamNetherlands Funds TCTD Subject toDutch approval.
122 Regional general Seminar forMembers oftheBlack
SeaEconomic Council.Netherlands Funds TCTD Subject toDutch approval.WT/COMTD/W/25
Page 15Technical Cooperation Missions Funding Execution Comments
Aprogramme ofRegional Seminars on''GATS Negotiations inProgress -
Participation ofDeveloping
Countries ''isproposed tobeimplemented between lateJune andendSeptember 1997,
tobefinanced through
theNetherlands Fund, subject toapproval oftheGovernment oftheNetherlands, as
follows:
123 Côte d'Ivoire Regional Seminar onGATS
Negotiations inProgress forFrench-speaking African
countries.Netherlands Funds TSD TCTD Consultations between the
WTO andtheproposed Host
Government have tobe
undertaken.
124 Egypt: Regional Seminar onGATS Negotiations in
Progress forsome Middle-East countries andAfrican
CountriesNetherlands Funds TSD TCTD Consultations between the
WTO andtheproposed Host
Government have tobe
undertaken.
125 Tanzania: Regional Seminar onGATS Negotiations in
Progress forEnglish-speaking African countries.Netherlands Funds TSD TCTD Consultations between the
WTO andtheproposed Host
Government have tobe
undertaken.
126 Indonesia: Regional Seminar onGATS Negotiations
inProgress forAsian developing countries.Netherlands Funds TSD TCTD Consultations between the
WTO andtheproposed Host
Government have tobe
undertaken.
127 SriLanka: Regional Seminar onGATS Negotiations
inProgress forAsian developing countries.Netherlands Funds TSD TCTD Consultations between the
WTO andtheproposed Host
Government have tobe
undertaken.
128 Trinidad andTobago Regional Seminar onGATS
Negotiations inProgress fortheCaribbean countries.Netherlands Funds TSD TCTD Consultations between the
WTO andtheproposed Host
Government have tobe
undertaken.
129 Venezuela Regional Seminar onGATS Negotiations
inProgress forLatin American countries.Netherlands Funds TSD TCTD Consultations between the
WTO andtheproposed Host
Government have tobe
undertaken.WT/COMTD/W/25
Page 16Technical Cooperation Missions Funding Execution Comments
Anumber ofcountries intheprocess ofaccession totheWTO have urgently requested technical cooperation and
assistance ondifferent issues, depending mostly onthestate ofprogress inwhich they areintheprocess of
accession. provision hastobemade torespond toasmany ofthese requests aspossible before theendof1997.
Two tofour daymissions, executed byonestaff member oftheAccessions Division andonestaff member ofan
operational division areforeseen, tothefollowing countries:
130 China WTO/TC AccD LegD Mission onTBT.
131 Jordan WTO/TC AccD MAcc Toassist inpreparation of
documentation andinitial
market access offers ingoods
andservices.
132 Nepal WTO/TC AccD Assistance inpreparation of
Memorandum onForeign
Trade Regime.
133 Oman WTO/TC AccD Consultations onnext phase
ofaccession process.
134 Saudi Arabia WTO/TC AccD Toassist inpreparation of
outstanding documentation.
135 Chinese Taipei WTO/TC AccD MAcc Toassist inthefinalization of
Draft Report andinthe
preparation ofmarket access
schedules ingoods and
services.
136 Vanuatu WTO/TC AccD AgD Toassist inpreparation of
replies toquestions andon
theinitial market access
offers ingoods andservices.
137 Vietnam WTO/TC AccD Toassist inpreparations of
first meeting ofWorking
Party.
138 Georgia Netherlands Funds AccD Consultations onthe
accession process and
preparation offirst meeting
ofWorking Party.WT/COMTD/W/25
Page 17Technical Cooperation Missions Funding Execution Comments
Thefollowing missions inconnection with theAccession process constitute aproject onassistance fortheAccession ofeconomies intransition.
139 Armenia WTO/TC AccD MAcc Toassist infinalization of
Draft Report andpreparation
ofmarket access schedules in
goods andservices. Target is
toconclude negotiations in
1997.
140 Croatia WTO/TC AccD Toassist inpreparation of
documentation.
141 Estonia WTO/TC AccD MAcc Toassist inpreparation of
market access schedules on
goods andservices.
142 Kazakstan WTO/TC AccD Toassist inpreparation of
required documentation and
market access offers.
143 Kyrgyz Republic WTO/TC AccD Toassist inthepreparation of
documentation.
144 Latvia WTO/TC AccD MAcc Toassist inpreparation of
schedules onmarket access in
goods andservices.
145 Lithuania WTO/TC AccD AgD Toassist inpreparation of
market access schedules on
goods, particularly
agriculture, andservices.
146 Russian Federation WTO/TC AccD Consultations onthe
accession process with the
new Government.
147 Ukraine WTO/TC AccD MAcc Toassist onpreparation of
documentation andmarket
access schedules ongoods
andservices.
148 WTO/World Bank project onInformation Technology
forDevelopment. TheTrade andDevelopment
WebsiteNorway Funds TCTDWT/COMTD/W/25
Page 18Technical Cooperation Missions Funding Execution Comments
Netherlands Funds IMRD
TOTAL ESTIMATED
EXPENDITURE3,481,031
OFWHICH: Norway Funds 1,544,518
ECTrade Remedies Funds 15,832
New Zealand Funds 165,295
Netherlands Funds 1,184,674
WTO/TC 611,057WT/COMTD/W/25
Page 19
1998
1. Agriculture andSPS Agreements
1.1 Agreement onAgriculture -related activities
In1998, thefocus oftheSecretariat 'stechnical assistance activities related totheAgreement
onAgriculture willremain onassisting Members inimplementing their specific commitments inthe
areas ofmarket access, domestic support andexport competition andbeing available fortechnical,
legal andpolicy advise inthecontext ofanychanges intrade-related agricultural policies onthepart
ofindividual Members.
Itisenvisagedtoprovidetargetedassistancebywayofmissionstothecapitalsof5to6Members
onademand-drivenbasis.In1998preferencewillbegiventorequestsfromAfricanandAsiancountries.
Inaddition, theSecretariat intends toorganize, orparticipate in,tworegional seminars ontherules
andcommitmentsinagriculture(oneinAfricaandoneinCentralandEasternEurope),withparticipation
from Members aswellasacceding countries. Atleast oneofthese regional seminars willbeconducted
incooperation with other international organizations, inparticular theWorld Bank and/or FAO. WTO
sponsorship oftheparticipation ofsome Members inthese seminars willberequired.
1.2 SPS Agreement -related activities
During theperiod 1995-1997, theSecretariat 'stechnical assistance activities intheSPSarea
were mainly provided intheform ofregional seminars andworkshops. In1998, theSecretariat intends
tolaunch a"second phase" ofsuch assistance intheform ofactivities more focused onspecific national
concerns. This willinvolve more individual country visits, with 5to6countries targeted onademand-
driven basis. In1998 preference willbegiven torequests from African andAsian countries. Inaddition,
theSecretariat intends toorganize tworegional seminars (one intheMiddle East/Black Seaarea and
oneinAsia) with participation from Members aswell asacceding countries. These regional seminars
willbecoupled with asubsequent national workshop intherespective host country. Private sector
participation willbeencouraged.
Technical assistance should alsoinclude WTO sponsorship ofparticipation ofWTO Members
inriskanalysis courses byrelevant scientific bodies (CODEX, OIE, IPPC).
2. Market Access Issues
2.1 Tariff Schedules
In1998, theSecretariat willhave toprovide assistance toanumber ofdeveloping countries
(about 8to10)inconnection with thetransposition oftheir pre-Uruguay Round Schedules intothe
Harmonized System, including thechanges thathave taken place in1996 (HS96). While themain
attention willhave tofocus oncertain French speaking African least-developed countries, requests
forassistance inthisrespect may alsocome from afewAsian countries.WT/COMTD/W/25
Page 20
2.2 Agreement onCustoms Valuation
Atotal ofover 50developing countries have made useofArticle 20oftheAgreement enabling
them toinvoke a5year delay fortheapplication oftheprovisions oftheAgreement. For27ofthose
countries thedelay period ends attheendof1999. Indications arethatsofarmost ofthese countries
donotfocus very much their attention onthisissue andhave notstarted preparatory work inorder
tobeready toimplement theAgreement bythedeadline. TheSecretariat willhave todraw upaplan
toaddress thisproblem. Most likely 2regional seminars with themain emphasis oncustoms valuation
willhave tobeorganized, ofwhich onewillbeontheCaribbean-Latin American area andanother
ontheAsia Pacific area (2such seminars, oneEnglish andoneFrench speaking arebeing organized
inAfrica in1997). Inaddition, incoordination andcooperation with theWorld Customs Organization
(WCO), andprobably with thehelp ofoutside consultants orexperts from Member countries inthat
area, itwillbenecessary toassist totheextent possible individually those countries which request
assistance.
3. Agreement onTrade-Related Intellectual Property Rights
Thecoming three years willbecrucial forthepreparation bydeveloping countries oftheir
implementation oftheTRIPs Agreement, given thattheir transition period ends intheyear 2000.
Thefocus oftheSecretariat 'stechnical cooperation activities specifically inrelation toTRIPs
willcontinue tobeonassisting Members tounderstand therights andobligations which flow from
theTRIPs Agreement, theaimbeing tohelp Members toassess theamendments thatmay beneeded
totheir national legislation, theadaptations ininstitutions thatmaybecalled forandother requirements
forwhich they would need toplan. Thepurpose would alsobetoassist Members toparticipate fully
intheoperation oftheTRIPs Council, including tomeet their procedural obligations under the
Agreement, andtheother mechanisms oftheWTO related toTRIPs matters. Importance would continue
tobeattached toensuring complementarity andcooperation withother intergovernmental organizations,
inparticular WIPO. Themain modes ofsupply areinformation andadvice given toMembers inGeneva,
seminars andworkshops fordeveloping countries and, toalesser extent, NGO conferences.
4. Agreement onTechnical Barriers toTrade
Technical assistance activities inrecent years related totheAgreement onTBT have focused
mainly onimplementation issues andthedomestic legal andinstitutional requirements involved. In
thiscontext, given thatparticipation inthepreceding Tokyo Round Agreement hadbeen limited to
46contracting parties, particular attention wasgiven todifficulties andadjustment problems facing
new Members.
In1998 and1999, technical cooperation under theAgreement needs tobeintensified and,
possibly, refocused inlight oftheresults oftheTBT Triennial Review inlate1997. Todate, the
following main themes have been proposed fortheReview: (i)promoting increased useofinternational
standards; (ii)facilitating acceptance offoreign technical regulations asequivalent, and(iii)encouraging
mutual recognition ofconformity assessment procedures.
Inthiscontext, theSecretariat willassist developing countries inparticipating more actively
inthepreparation ofinternational standards andinintroducing them domestically. Regional andsub-
regional seminars given bytheSecretariat willbecomplemented bycountry missions. Such missions
willalsobeused toidentify areas where institutional improvements could strengthen thequality of
laboratory testing andconformity certification and, thus, improve conditions offoreign recognition.
Inturn, thiscould help reduce market access costs associated with multiple testing andcertification.
Close cooperation with ISOwillbenecessary.WT/COMTD/W/25
Page 21
5. Rules
a) Regional Training Workshops: Fortheyears of1998, 1999 theSecretariat plans tocontinue
itsongoing programme ofassistance toMembers desiring tooperate trade remedies systems. The
focus ofthisassistance istoprovide officials from theinvestigating authorities with thetechnical
knowledge onhow toconduct aWTO consistent investigation fortheapplication ofanti-dumping,
countervail orsafeguards measures. Itisenvisioned toorganise, onademand-driven basis andwith
theassistance ofregional financial institutions (Asian Development Bank, Inter-American Development
Bank), three regional workshops in1998 andthree in1999 (two forlatin American andoneforAsian
countries) andoneworkshop forcountries intransition (tobefinanced byextra-budgetary resources).
b) CountrySpecificWorkshops:Thisprogrammeprovidesfortheopportunityofamorespecialized
assistancetoMembers.Theissuestobedealtwithineachworkshoparecoordinatedwiththegovernment
agencies receiving theassistance andarecustom tailored totheir specific needs. This programme has
hadagreat success andanumber ofrequests forassistance toindividual countries could notbemet
in1997, because ofinsufficient availability ofinstructors. These requests willbeattended toin1998
andin1999. Sixcountry specific workshops areplanned for1998 andasimilar number willtakeplace
in1999.
c) Other Assistance: Another type ofimplementation assistance provided toMembers concerns
thepreparation andreview ofdraft legislations andregulations oncontingent trade remedies. This
isdone strictly upon request bytheMember desiring toadopt implementing legislation. Such assistance
sometimes involves atleast onemission totherequesting Member. Since thistype ofassistance is
strictly request-driven itisdifficult toforesee thenumber ofthistypes ofprogrammes tobeconducted
inthenext twoyears.
d) Seminars onRules: Inorder toincrease andenhance theparticipation ofdeveloping countries
intheactivities ofthedifferent committees oftherules agreements (Anti-Dumping, Subsidies and
Countervail, andSafeguards), theSecretariat willcontinue itsassistance intheform ofregional seminars
inthearea ofWTO rules. This seminars willbeused toimprove understanding ofMembers 'rights
andobligations intherules areaandtoimprove their response totheir various notification obligations.
Three regional seminars areplanned, oneforeach region: Africa, Latin America andAsia.
e) Subsidy Seminars: TheSecretariat prepares workshops toreinforce Members 'understanding
oftheir obligations regarding thenotification ofsubsidies andofthemultilateral disciplines applicable
totheprovision ofsubsidies. Theworkshops willprovide Members with theknowledge andanalytical
tools necessary tomake aninventory oftheir subsidies programmes andtoassess their WTO obligations
with respect tothose programmes. Two subsidy seminars areenvisioned for1998 andonemore is
foreseen totake place in1999.
f) State Trading Seminars: Inthearea ofState Trading seminars willbespecially directed at
improving thecompliance withMembers 'notifications requirements, resulting from theUnderstanding
ontheImplementation ofArticle XVII ofGATT 94. These activities arealsoaimed atfacilitating
developing countries participation inthework oftheWorking Party onState Trade Enterprises. One
seminar peryear willbeorganized inthe1998-1999 period, thiswillbedone onaregional basis.
g) Accession Related Missions: TheSecretariat envisions tocontinue itsassistance toacceding
countries. Thepurpose ofthisassistance istoclarify therights andobligations intherules areathat
theacceding country acquires upon accession totheWTO. Itisdifficult toestimate thenumber of
missions inthisarea tobecarried outsince thisisdone strictly attherequest oftheWorking Party
onAccession oftheparticular country ortheacceding country itself.WT/COMTD/W/25
Page 22
6. General Agreement onTrade inServices
Activities willbeprimarily directed towards helping developing countries toimplement their
commitments onbasic telecommunications which willenter intoforce on1January 1998. Similar
work isanticipated ifthefinancial services negotiations aresuccessfully concluded bytheendof1997.
TheSecretariat willcontinue itsactivities begun during 1997 toenhance theparticipation of
developing countries inongoing negotiations inkeyareas likesubsidies, government procurement and
safeguards, aswellastoensure thatdomestic regulations, such asqualification requirements, technical
standards andlicensing requirements, donotconstitute unnecessary barriers totrade inservices.
7. IntegratedTechnicalAssistanceProgrammeforSelectedLeast-DevelopedandOtherAfrican
Countries
AnIntegrated Programme ofTechnical Assistance forSelected Least-Developed andOther
African Countries waslaunched inearly 1996 bytheWTO incollaboration with UNCTAD andthe
International Trade Centre. Thespecific objective oftheprogramme istoassist least-developed and
other African countries intheexpansion anddiversification oftheir trade andimprove their integration
intothemultilateral trading system. This Programme willresult inindividual country projects being
finalizedbymid-May1997forBenin,BurkinaFaso,Côted'Ivoire,Ghana,Kenya,TanzaniaandUganda,
setting outactivities tobecarried outforthose countries intomid-1999.
AreaswhereWTOisexpectedtomakecontributionsinthesecountryprojectsandwhereactivities
willbeorganized in1998 are:
- providing lecturers fortraining oftrainers 'courses;
- contribute totheestablishment ofaNational Reference Centres onthemultilateral
trading system (aCentre where documentation andinformation willbereadily available
tothepublic, business andacademic communities inthecountry concerned);
- carry-out workshops toincrease knowledge andunderstanding oftheUruguay Round
Agreements;
- legal drafting orredrafting oflegislations tocomply with WTO Agreements, and
assistance onnotifications procedures andobligations;
- assistance toCustoms Administrations; and
- studies ontheimpact ofWTO Agreements onindividual LDCs economies.
8. Least-Developed Countries
Theconclusions oftheHigh-Level Meeting forLeast-Developed Countries tobeheldinOctober
1997 inpursuance oftheSingapore Ministerial Declaration may give risetoprojects andactivities
tobeimplemented over the1998 and1999 period.
9. Accessions
In1998, asignificant number ofcountries, including some important economies, aregoing
tobeinanaccelerated phase oftheir accession processes. With anacceleration ofthese processes,
theSecretariat willbedevoting agreat deal ofattention toproviding technical assistance tothose
countriesinspecificareaswherenegotiationsarefocused.Theseincludebothsystemicissuesandbilateral
market access issues. Examples ofsuch countries inthiscategory would beRussia, Ukraine, Saudi
Arabia, Croatia andJordan.WT/COMTD/W/25
Page 23
Also in1998, theSecretariat would need toprovide technical assistance tosome other countries
whose governments require assistance inorder toaccelerate andconclude their accessions. These
countriesincludeVietnam,Nepal,Sudan,Cambodia,Uzbekistan,Algeria,Moldova,Kazakstan,Kyrgyz
Republic, Georgia, Oman, Seychelles, Tonga andVanuatu.
10. Other Issues
10.1 Trade andEnvironment
Thetrade andenvironment discussion which istaking place intheCommittee onTrade and
Environment (CTE) involves abroad range ofdifferent andoften complex issues. Anumber ofthem
areofdirect interest todeveloping countries: forinstance, measures taken pursuant tomultilateral
environmental agreements, effects ofenvironmental measures onmarket access, trade aspects ofeco-
labelling andpackaging regulations, orissues ofdomestically prohibited goods.
Inlight ofthis, three regional seminars (Asia, Latin America andAfrica) areenvisaged per
year forthenext twoyears (1998/99) toraise theawareness ofdeveloping countries with respect to
trade, environment andmore specifically thework oftheCommittee onTrade andEnvironment.
10.2 Notifications Procedures andObligations
The Secretariat will continue togive attention andrespond torequests forassistance on
notifications procedures andobligations. In1998, oneortwoworkshops willbeorganized inGeneva
forGeneva-based delegations. Moreover, amodule onthese issues will, when appropriate, continue
tobepartofseminars andworkshops ontheWTO tobeheldatthenational, sub-regional andregional
levels.
10.3 Dispute Settlement
a) SpecialTrainingCoursesonDisputeSettlementProcedureswillcontinuetobeorganized
bytheSecretariat forGeneva-based Delegations atWTO Headquarters. Two ofthese
courses areforeseen for1998. Onrequest, these courses maybeorganized inthefield.
b) Specialized legal assistance will continue tobeprovided todeveloping andleast-
developed countries, inpursuance ofArticle 27:2 oftheUnderstanding onRules and
Procedures fortheSettlement ofDisputes.
10.4 TheTrade andDevelopment Web-Site
Development andstrengthening oftheWTO/World Bank Trade andDevelopment Web-Site
willcontinue during 1998.WT/COMTD/W/25
Page 24
10.5 Investment, Competition Policy, andGovernment Procurement
Paragraph 22oftheSingapore Ministerial Declaration states thatthetechnical cooperation
programme oftheSecretariat willbeavailable todeveloping andinparticular least-developed country
members tofacilitate their participation inthenew groups ontherelationship between trade and
investment, theinteraction between trade andcompetition policy, andtransparency ingovernment
procurement.TheSecretariat'stechnicalcooperationprogrammewillthereforehavetocoverincreasingly
thesematters,theobjectivebeingtoprovideinformationthatwillfacilitatetheparticipationofdeveloping
andleast-developed countries inthework. Given thelimits ontheSecretariat 'sown resources,
cooperation with other intergovernmental organizations, inparticular UNCTAD, willberequired and
recourse made totheuseofoutside experts. Thefocus would benotonly ongovernment officials
from capitals, through symposia, butalsoonGeneva-based delegations, through events intheGeneva
area.WT/COMTD/W/25
Page 25
1999
1. Agriculture andSPS Agreements
1.1 Agreement onAgriculture -related activities
In1999, theSecretariat will continue toassist Members inimplementing their specific
commitments under theAgreement onAgriculture andtoprovide advice inthecontext ofanychanges
intrade-related agricultural policies onthepartofindividual Members. Theapproach willbedemand-
driven. 5to6country missions areenvisaged, with preference being given torequests from Africa
andLatin America. Two regional workshops, focusing onthemultilateral rules affecting trade in
agricultural products andthework oftheCommittee onAgriculture arealsoforeseen (one inAfrica
andoneintheCentral American/Caribbean region), with participation ofboth Members andacceding
countries. Sponsorship ofWTO participation ofsome Members inthese seminars willberequired.
1.2 SPS Agreement -related activities
In1999, theSecretariat intends tocontinue thesecond phase oftechnical SPSAgreement related
assistance, i.e.assistance focusing onspecific national concerns. Itisagain envisaged totarget 5to
6countries onademand-driven basis. Preference willbegiven torequests from African andCaribbean
Basin (including Central American) countries. Inaddition, tworegional workshops areenvisaged (one
inCentral andEastern Europe andoneinAfrica), with participation from Members aswellasacceding
countries. These regional workshops will becoupled with asubsequent national workshop inthe
respective host country. Participation oftheprivate sector willbeencouraged.
Technical assistance should alsoinclude WTO sponsorship ofparticipation ofWTO Members
inriskanalysis courses byrelevant scientific bodies (CODEX, OIE, IPPC).
2. Market Access Issues
2.1 Tariff Schedules
Assistance willcontinue tobenecessary foranumber ofdeveloping countries intheAfrican,
Asia Pacific andCaribbean area inconnection with thetransposition oftheir pre-Uruguay Round
Schedules intotheHarmonized System and, inparticular, with theintroduction oftheHS96 changes.
Most likely theneed forsuch assistance willbeinthesame range asfor1998.
2.2 Agreement onCustoms Valuation
Foranother 25developing countries thedelay period fortheapplication oftheprovisions of
theAgreement willexpire inthecourse oftheyear 2000 orearly 2001. Similar arrangements asin
1998 willhave tobemade onaregional andindividual basis forthose countries toassist them. In
1999, inparticular during thefirstsixmonths, provision willhave tobemade, fordeveloping countries
who request assistance, inorder toprepare them totheextent possible forthelegal andpractical
implementation oftheAgreement.WT/COMTD/W/25
Page 26
2.3 Agreement onRules ofOrigin
Under theharmonization work programme fornon-preferential Rules ofOrigin, adeadline
ofJuly 1998 isforeseen fortheconclusion ofthiswork. Ifthatdeadline canbemetitwillbecome
necessary toassist alarge number ofdeveloping countries indrawing uptherequired national provisions
andmaking other necessary arrangements toenable them toimplement thenewAnnex totheAgreement
onRules ofOrigin.
3. Agreement onTrade-Related Intellectual Property Rights
Theactivities described for1998 would becontinued.
4. Agreement onTechnical Barriers toTrade
Theactivities described for1998 would becontinued.
5. Rules
Theactivities described for1998 willbecontinued.
6. General Agreement onTrade inServices
Technical cooperation activities in1999 will focus onequipping developing countries to
participate more effectively inthenext round ofcomprehensive services negotiations, duetobegin
nolater than theyear 2000. Thescope ofthese activities isusefully indicated byArticle XIX:3 of
theGATS:
Foreach round, negotiating guidelines andprocedures shall beestablished.
Forthepurposes ofestablishing such guidelines, theCouncil forTrade inServices
shall carry outanassessment oftrade inservices inoverall terms andonasectoral
basis with reference totheobjectives ofthisAgreement, including those setoutin
paragraph 1ofArticle IV. Negotiating guidelines shall establish modalities forthe
treatment ofliberalization undertaken autonomously byMembers since previous
negotiations, aswellasforthespecial treatment forleast-developed country Members
under theprovisions ofparagraph 3ofArticle IV.
Itisalsorelevant thattheCouncil forTrade inServices initsReport totheGeneral Council
inpreparation fortheSingapore Ministerial stated:
TheCouncil forTrade inServices willdevelop aninformation exchange programme.
Theaimofthisprogramme istofacilitate theaccess ofallMembers, inparticular developing
country Members, toinformation regarding laws, regulations, administrative guidelines and
policies affecting trade inservices inorder tocontribute totheassessment oftrade inservices
which would assist future negotiations intheservices sector.
TheSecretariat willassist developing countries inthree areas:
A. Theinformation exchange programme.
B. Assessment oftrade inservices inoverall terms andonasectoral basis.
C. Establishment ofnegotiating guidelines andprocedures.WT/COMTD/W/25
Page 27
7. IntegratedTechnicalAssistanceProgrammeforSelectedLeast-DevelopedandOtherAfrican
Countries
Programmes described under 1998 willbecontinued in1999. These should cover thefollowing
activities: seminars, technical andspecialized workshops, legal drafting orredrafting ofnational
legislation, andassistance toimprove export base andcompetitiveness ofenterprises.
8. Least-Developed Countries
Theconclusions oftheHigh-Level Meeting forLeast-Developed Countries tobeheldinOctober
1997 inpursuance oftheSingapore Ministerial Declaration shall give risetoprojects andactivities
which would beimplemented over the1998 and1999 period.
9. Accessions
Atthispoint intime, itisalready quite clear thatagreat dealofthework foreseen for1998
willspilloverintothetechnical assistance activities in1999. Itisexpected that1999 willbeaparticularly
busy period intheaccessions area andthedemands fortechnical cooperation willbeeven higher as
most acceding governments trytobecome members oftheWTO before theturn ofthecentury.
Additionally,by1999theSecretariatexpectstobeservicingnewrequestsforaccessionfromgovernments
whom itisknown arepresently considering thisquestion, e.g., Lebanon, Yemen, Ethiopia, Azerbaijan,
Turkmenistan, Tadjikistan andWestern Samoa.
10. Other Issues
10.1 Trade andEnvironment
Seesection in1998
10.2 Notifications Procedures andObligations
The Secretariat will continue togive attention andrespond torequests forassistance on
notifications procedures andobligations. In1999, oneortwoworkshops willbeorganized inGeneva
forGeneva-based delegations. Moreover, amodule onthese issues will, when appropriate, continue
tobepartofseminars andworkshops ontheWTO tobeheldatthenational, sub-regional andregional
levels.
10.3 Dispute Settlement
a) SpecialTrainingCoursesonDisputeSettlementProcedureswillcontinuetobeorganized
bytheSecretariat forGeneva-based Delegations atWTO Headquarters. Two ofthese
courses areforeseen for1999. Onrequest, these courses may alsobeorganized in
thefield.
b) Specialized legal assistance will continue tobeprovided todeveloping andleast-
developed countries, inpursuance ofArticle 27:2 oftheUnderstanding onRules and
Procedures fortheSettlement ofDisputes.WT/COMTD/W/25
Page 28
10.4 TheTrade andDevelopment Web-Site
Development andstrengthening oftheWTO/World Bank Trade andDevelopment Web-Site
willcontinue during 1999.
10.5 Investment, Competition Policy, andGovernment Procurement
Work indicated for1998 willbecontinued in1999.WT/COMTD/W/25
Page 29
ANNEX
WTO TRADE POLICY COURSES HELD INGENEVA
Plan for1997
Regular Trade Policy Courses fordeveloping countries
TheWTO Secretariat finances andorganizes twoRegular Trade Policy Courses peryear for
officials from developing countries. The Courses, held inEnglish andalternately inFrench and
Spanish, takeplace inGeneva andlastforfourteen weeks. Each Course trains twenty-four officials.
Theregular Courses have been scheduled forthefollowing dates:
- 5thTrade Policy Course (inFrench) -27January -2May 1997;
- 6thTrade Policy Course (inEnglish) -29August -28November 1997.
TheCoursesareintendedforgovernmentofficialsfromWTOMembersaswellasnon-members
who areinvolved intheformulation andimplementation oftrade policy. TheCourse objective isto
widen theparticipating officials 'understanding oftrade policy matters, themultilateral trading system,
international trade lawandthefunctioning oftheWTO. Theknowledge acquired intheCourse is
expected toallow participating officials toimprove theeffectiveness oftheir work intheir own
administrations andtopromote amore active participation oftheir countries inthework oftheWTO.
Special Courses foreconomies intransition
Inaddition, theWTO Secretariat hasscheduled for1997 twoshorter Special Trade Policy
Courses each fortwenty-four officials from economies intransition:
- afour-week course forofficials from Georgia, Russia andUkraine funded bytheUnited
States government (since 1994). Thedates oftheCourse are14April to7May 1997;
- aneight-week course forofficials from (twenty) Eastern andCentral European and
Central Asian Countries financed bytheSwiss government (since 1991). Thedates
ofthisCourse are20May to11July 1997.
TheTraining programmes oftheSpecial Trade Policy Courses aimtorespond tothetraining
needs oftheeconomies intransition, several ofwhich areintheprocess ofacceding totheWTO.
TheCourse programme issimilar inmany respects totheRegular Trade Policy Courses inthatitis
designed tofamiliarize theparticipating officials withthefunctioning ofthemultilateral trading system.
However, special emphasis islaidontopics ofparticular interest totheparticipating countries such
astheprocess oftrade policy reform ineconomies intransition, theconditions foraccession totheWTO,
theWTO status ofcertain bilateral regional arrangements, agriculture andservices. TheCourses are
conducted inEnglish with, insome cases, simultaneous interpretation intoRussian.
AMemorandumofUnderstandingbetweenSingaporeandtheWTOprovidesfortrainingcourses
fordeveloping countries usually tobeheld inSingapore andnormally notexceeding four weeks in
duration. Theprecise modalities including funding arrangements aresubject tofurther consultations.
TheM.O.U. provides thatthetraining programme willstart in1997 andwillrunforaninitial period
oftwoyears.WT/COMTD/W/25
Page 30
1997 Budget Overview (Thousand Swiss Francs)
Two Regular Trade Policy Courses (WTO) 1,232
Swiss Special Trade Policy Course 381
United States Special Trade Policy Course 246
Plan for1998 and1999
Atthisstage, itisnotpossible togive aprecise picture ofwhat canbeoffered interms of
Trade Policy Courses inGeneva. FortheRegular Trade Policy Courses, theSecretariat isconsidering
introducing athird Regular Course depending onfinances. Inanyevent, there willbeaminimum
oftwoRegular Courses ashasbeen thecase foraconsiderable number ofyears.
With respect totheSpecial Courses forofficials from economies intransition, theSwiss and
USGovernments have notyetindicated whether theyintend tofinance Training Courses fornextyear.
Subject toapproval bytheNetherlands Government, there could beapossibility ofutilizing
theNetherlands Funds foraSpecial Trade Policy Course forEconomies inTransition in1998.