. /.WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONWT/MIN(03)/ST/105
12 September 2003
(03-4843)
MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE
Fifth Session
Cancún, 10 - 14 September 2003
MYANMAR
Statement by H.E. Brigadier General Pyi Sone
Minister for Commerce
On behalf of the Government of the Uni on of Myanmar and on my own, I would like to
extend our heartfelt thanks to the host country, Mexico for the excellent arrangements made for this
important Ministerial Conference.  I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate you onyour election and to assure you that the Myanmar delegation would give full cooperation in the
forthcoming deliberations.
We are all aware that trade growth is a key f actor for the economic development and poverty
reduction of developing countries.  Particularly for the Least Developed Countries, increasing marketaccess and supporting a strong rules-based trading system are crucial for the enhancement of trade
growth.  Although the total trade of the Least Devel oped Countries rose in the last financial year, it
did not dramatically change their situation, as they were able to make only a marginal contribution
towards overall world trade.
With the view to expanding trade and economic development of the Least Developed
Countries of the WTO, developed and developing countries should support and encourage the tradegrowth of the Least Developed Countries without seeking reciprocal treatment.  Although WTO is
finding ways for the trade growth and economic de velopment of Member countries, harmful practices
such as economic coercive measures, trade sanctions, linkage to trade preferences, development aids
or debt relief initiatives are being used by some major developed countries are contrary to the
multilateral trade rules that negatively affect the socio-economic lives of the people and also slowdown the development process.  We strongly believe that developing countries have the right to
choose the path of development in accordance with their national priorities and objectives.
Agriculture sector which constitutes more than seventy per cent of LDC's exports is the
backbone of LDC economies.  However, the share of agricultural export in the world declined from12.1 per cent in 1990 to 9.1 per cent in 2001.  This decline means that the market share of LDC's
major products in world trade is downsizing, instead of increasing.  Therefore, the Myanmar
delegation would like to support the text of the Dhaka Declaration that "Developed Countries shall
provide duty free and quota free market access to all imports from all  LDCs"  and which "is not
nullified by non-tariff measures"  put under the category of special and differential treatment.
In the Services Negotiations, Myanmar received several requests for initial offers in key
services sectors.  Although we have tried our best to give initial offers and participated is some of the
negotiations by sending capital based experts, we are not in a position to participate regularly in the
long process of negotiations.WT/MIN(03)/ST/105
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Due to these reasons, the Myanmar delegation would like to suggest that, "Members shall
provide technical and financial assistance for LDCs' participation in the negotiation round when
Member countries make the requests to LDCs for initial offers in the service sectors".
Technical cooperation and capacity-building are core elements of the development dimension
of the multilateral trading system.  For LDCs to increase their trade-related supply capacity and
effective participation in multilateral trade negotiations, it is vital to receive technical cooperation.  It
is regrettable that the Least Developed Countries are facing serious supply side constraints to reap the
benefits from Preferential Scheme and to participate actively in the current Doha Round negotiations.
Regarding the Singapore Issues we are not in a position to follow the negotiations in detail
and therefore are not yet in a position to evaluate the implications or impact of these issues.  In thecontext of Trade and Investment issue, most of the LDCs were unable to attract Foreign Direct
Investment although they have adopted measures to liberalize investment regime.  Therefore, Member
States need to develop tools to help LDCs to overcome these barriers.
Trade and Competition Policy issue is also being debated between Developed and Developing
countries.  Since LDCs are not familiar with the enforcement of Competition Laws and Policies,
assistance in this field is needed for formulating national competition laws and establishing requisite
institutions.
On behalf of the Myanmar delegation, I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to
the Heads of Delegation of the Kingdom of Cambodia and Kingdom of Nepal for their accession to
the WTO.
Before I conclude, Myanmar delegation would agai n like to thank the Director-General of the
WTO, the Organizing Committee and the host country, Mexico, for hosting this conference.
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