. /.WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONWT/MIN(01)/ST/104
12 November 2001
(01-5692)
MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE
Fourth SessionDoha, 9 - 13 November 2001Original:  English
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
Statement by H.E. Mr Bernard Anthony Weston
Director, International Trade and Economic Relations
On behalf of the Government and people of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, I wish to
extend to the Government and people of Qatar, our heartfelt congratulations on their hosting of this,
the Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the World Trade Organisation.  I wish also to extend my
delegation's appreciation for the warm reception, hospitality and security provided by the Government
of Qatar, without which the atmosphere conducive to the conduct of our negotiations would not exist.
Trinidad and Tobago is committed to the principles and objectives of the rules-based
multilateral trading system.  We believe that a transparent and predictable system of rules is crucial
for fostering confidence and promoting enhanced tr ade and investment flows, particularly at this
crucial period, which is characterized by an ec onomic slowdown and a lack of confidence occasioned
by the recent increase in terrorist activity.
It is an undeniable fact that developing countries have not been able to maximize the potential
gains of trade due to a number of factors. These include a lack of sufficient human, financial and
institutional resources, along with obstacles to trade such as the proliferation of tariff, non-tariff and
technical barriers, and the non-implementation of the Special and Differential Treatment provisions of
the WTO Agreements.
Trinidad and Tobago is a firm supporter of the principles of trade liberalization and trade
reform.  We recognise, however, the need to ensure that the multilateral trading system and the future
work of the WTO must promote the development objectives of its developing Members through the
enhancement of their productive capability and competitiveness and improved access to markets.
In this regard, we are of the view that the Singapore issues are not yet ripe for negotiations
and should be the subject of further study and analysis in order to determine the possible implications
for the economies of developing countries.  Moreover, Trinidad and Tobago is also concerned about a
possible link of new obligations in these issues to the dispute settlement mechanism.
As we meet today in Doha, amidst talk of the apparent necessity to launch a new Round of
negotiations and of such a Round being a "development" Round, the focus of our discussions must be
the concerns of the developing countries.  Furt her remedial measures and the Organization's work
programme must be designed to enable the developing countries to participate meaningfully andeffectively in the multilateral trading system.  Trin idad and Tobago holds the view that the existing
WTO Agreements should be revisited to ensure that the fulfill their objectives.
It must be a priority of this Organization to ensure that Special and Differential Treatment for
developing countries is operationalized and made effective and binding.  As a small, island,developing country, Trinidad and Tobago is convinced  of the need for the WTO to recognize, as is the
case in other international fora, the differences in the levels of development and capacity which existWT/MIN(01)/ST/104
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among its Members including its developing Members.  In this regard, the Organization needs to
provide flexibility in the application of rules and obligations and this with particular reference to its
smaller, vulnerable and least-developed Members.  We warmly welcome the proposal for a WTO
Work Programme on Small Economies, designed to facilitate the greater participation and integration
of these countries in the multilateral trading system.
As an ACP member country, Trinidad and Tobago shares the concern of its fellow ACP
members, on the inordinate and unjustifiable delay in the granting of the waiver request for the
ACP/EC Partnership Agreement, the "Cotonou" Agreemen t.  We are firmly of the view that this issue,
which has serious systemic implications for the Organization, must be addressed and resolved in the
course of this Ministerial Conference.
Trinidad and Tobago like many Members of the WTO, developed and developing countries
alike, shares the view that one of the outcomes of this Ministerial Conference must be a clear and
unequivocal statement to the effect that "nothing in the TRIPS Agreement shall prevent governments
from taking measures for protecting public health and nutrition as well as to ensure access to
affordable medicines".
Trinidad and Tobago wishes to make particular mention of the accession procedures in the
WTO and to the establishment of a Working Group for the accession of the Commonwealth of the
Bahamas, the only CARICOM member country that is not yet a WTO Member.  Trinidad and Tobago
calls on WTO Members to refrain from placing ex cessive or onerous demands on the application of
this fellow country and also on least-developed countries seeking accession to membership of the
Organization.
Trinidad and Tobago welcomes the accession of the People's Republic of China, a founding
Member of the GATT, and welcomes China back into the fold.
In closing I wish to reiterate Trinidad and Tobago's support for a strengthened rules-based
World Trade Organization and multilateral trading system.  We remain convinced that the trade
interests of the developing world will only be assured by a strengthened, equitable, balanced and just
rules-based system, with "development" as its primary mandate, that takes on board the interests of all
its Member countries and in particular the interests of its smallest, most vulnerable and least-
developed Members.
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