RESTRICTEDWORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/C/M/39
12 May 1999
(99-1960)
Council for Trade in Goods
MINUTES OF THE MEETING
Held in the Centre William Rappard
on 12 April 1999
Chairperson: Ambassador R. Farrell
The meeting was convened by WTO/AIR/ 1054.  The proposed agenda contained in
document G/C/W/147 was adopted.
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Item 1: Draft Decision on Waiver for Preferential Tariff Treatment in favour of Least-Developed
Countries
The Chairman said that Members had before them the draft Decision on a Waiver for
Preferential Tariff Treatment for Least-Developed Countries contained in document
G/C/W/135/Rev.1.  This draft decision had been approved in the Committee on Trade and
Development on 2 March 1999.  It appeared that Members could now recommend the draft decision
on the waiver to the next meeting of the General Council  for adoption.  In the absence of comment by
delegations, he proposed that the CTG agree to recommend to the General Council for adoption thedraft decision on the waiver.
The Council so agreed.
The Chairman expressed his appreciation to Members for agreeing to the recommendation as
it could be considered a significant contribution by the WTO to improving market access for least-
developed countries and represented a positive input into the preparatory process for the 3rd
Ministerial Conference.
Item 2: Other Business
The Chairman noted that he would look at Council procedures, in particular regarding
repetitive elements such as adopting terms of reference for the examination of free trade agreements,
with a view to facilitating and  streamlining the Council's work.  However, it was clear that any such
examination would not encroach on the opportunities for delegations to make any comments theywished to under particular items.  He looked forward to receiving approaches from any delegations
who had thoughts about ways of improving the conduct of the Council's business or other matters they
wished to signal as areas of interest. The next meeting of the Council was scheduled to take place on
Friday, 2 July 1999.  The agenda would close by close-of-business on Friday, 18 June 1999.
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