. /.WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/C/W/453
13 March 2003
(03-1472)
Council for Trade in Goods
INTRODUCTION OF HARMONIZED SYSTEM 1996 CHANGES
INTO WTO SCHEDULES OF TARIFF CONCESSIONS
Panama – Schedule CXLI
Draft Waiver Decision
The General Council,
Considering  that the Members of the WTO, by their Decisions of 13 December 1995,
18 July 1996, 24 April 1997, 22 October 1997, 24 April 1998, 14 October 1998, 15 June 1999,
4 November 1999, 3 May 2000, 8 December 2000, 8 May 2001 and 13 May 20021, acting pursuant to
the provisions of paragraph 3 of Article IX of the WTO Agreement, suspended the application of the
provisions of Article II of GATT 1994 until 30 April 2003, for the purpose of enabling the Members
listed in the Annex to implement the reco mmended amendments to the Harmonized System
nomenclature;
Noting  that Panama has requested a waiver extension for the reasons explained in its
requests2;
Considering  that Panama will need more time to submit corrections corresponding to the
introduction of the changes in its Harmonized System 1996 into its Harmonized System 1992
Schedule of Concessions, and vice versa, and to proceed with the consultations or possible
negotiations under Article XXVIII, particularly in the light of the general reservations made by other
Members;
Acting  pursuant to the provisions of paragraph 3 of Article IX of the WTO Agreement;
Decides , in view of the exceptional circumstances, to suspend the application of the
provisions of Article II of GATT 1994 until 30 April 2004, for the purpose of enabling Panama to
implement the recommended amendments to the Ha rmonized System nomenclature, subject to the
following conditions:
1. Panama shall, where necessary, promptly enter into negotiations and consultations
with interested Members pursuant to paragraphs 1-3 of Article XXVIII of GATT
1994;
2. The negotiations and consultations mentioned above shall be completed not later than
30 April 2004;
                                                     
1 WT/L/124+Corr.1, WT/L/173, WT/L/216, WT/L/243, WT/L/268, WT/L/281, WT/L/303, WT/L/338,
WT/L/351, WT/L/379, WT/L/400 and WT/L/458.
2 G/L/607G/C/W/453
Page 2
3. Pending the entry into force of the results of the negotiations or consultations
mentioned above, the other Members will be free to suspend concessions initially
negotiated with Panama to the extent that they consider that adequate compensation is
not offered by Panama for the introduction of the changes into its Harmonized System
1996 into its Harmonized System 1992 Schedule of Concessions.
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