RESTRICTEDWORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/C/W/251
8 March 2001
(01-1122)
Council for Trade in Goods
18 April 2001
NICARAGUA – ESTABLISHMENT OF A NEW SCHEDULE XXIX
Draft Decision on Extension of Time-Limit
Considering that by a Decision of 26 January 19941, the application of the provisions of
Article II of the GATT 1947 was suspended to enable  the Government of Nicaragua to implement the
Central American Tariff System (SAC) which is based on the Harmonized Commodity Descriptionand Coding System (Harmonized System);
Noting that by successive decisions, the time-limit of the waiver granted to Nicaragua has
been extended until 30 April 20012;
Considering that by a Decision of 31 January 19953, the General Council established a list of
waivers existing at the entry into force of the WTO Agreement, which included the waiver granted to
Nicaragua for the establishment of a new Schedule XXIX;
Taking into account that the Government of Nicaragua has submitted the necessary factual
documentation for the initiation of negotiations4 and that two Members have reserved their
negotiating rights;
Noting that one Member has lifted its reservation and that Nicaragua is continuing
negotiations with the other Member;
Considering that in order to fulfil the pro cedures established by the Council Decision of
12 July 1993 for rectification and renegotiation of the schedules of concessions negotiated in GATT
under the Harmonized System and in order to hold cons ultations in conformity with the provisions of
Article XXVIII, the Government of Nicaragua, having fulfilled the requirements of the Understanding
in Respect of Waivers of Obligations under the GATT 1994, has requested a further extension of the
waiver of its obligations under Article II of GATT 19945;
The General Council, acting pursuant to the provisions of Article IX of the WTO Agreement;Decides, in view of the exceptional circumstances, to extend until 31 October 2001 the
time-limit provided for in the Decision of 26 January 1994.
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1 L/7406.
2 WT/L/376.
3 WT/L/3 + Corr.1.
4 G/SECRET/HS/3.
5 G/L/442.