RESTRICTED
WORLD TRADE WT/COMTD/W/10
8November 1995
ORGANIZATION(95-3449)
Committee onTrade andDevelopment
Fourth Session
17November 1995
WTO MEASURES RELATING TODEVELOPING COUNTRY MEMBERS
Note bytheSecretariat
Thisdocument relates toagenda itemEoftheFourth Session oftheCommittee onTrade and
Development; thatis,Review oftheApplication ofSpecial Provisions intheMultilateral Trade
Agreements andRelated Ministerial Decisions inFavour ofDeveloping Country Members, inparticular
Least-Developed Country Members .Itidentifies those provisions intheMultilateral Trade Agreements
andrelated Ministerial Decisions which mayberelevant fortheReview byMembers oftheCommittee.1
They maybeclassified under fourheadings.
- those aimed atincreasing trade opportunities;
- those which, atthedomestic level, require Members tosafeguard developing country
Members interests when adopting certain measures;
- thosewhich, atthemultilateral level, require Members tosafeguard developing country
Members interests when adopting certain measures; and
- support measures.
ThisdocumentbrieflysummarizestherelevantprovisionsoflegalinstrumentsresultingfromtheUruguay
Round.
Inmore general terms, itshould alsobenoted thatintheDecision onMeasures inFavour
ofLeast-Developed Countries ,Ministers agreed thatrules andtransitional provisions resulting from
theUruguay Round should beapplied inaflexible andsupportive manner fortheleast-developed country
Members (LLDCs), including thedeterminations andauthorizations thataretobearrived atby
appropriate Councils andCommittees fordifferent situations (such asextensions oftransition periods,
time-limited exemptions, etc.).
Furthermore, intheDeclaration ontheContribution oftheWorld Trade Organization to
Achieving Greater Coherence inGlobal Economic Policymaking ,Ministers recognized theneedfor
anadequateandtimelyflowofconcessionalandnon-concessionalfinancialandrealinvestmentresources
1Notallprovisions relating todeveloping countries havebeenlisted, butrather aselection ofthose thataremore action-oriented and
could berelevant fortheReview. Forexample, provisions contained inthepreamble ofagreements anddecisions havenotbeenincluded,
astheydonotprovide foraction persebutrather arethebackground against which action istobetaken. Foradetailed description of
allspecial provisions relating todeveloping countries see"ADescription oftheProvisions Relating toDeveloping Countries intheUruguay
Round Agreements, Legal Instruments andMinisterial Decisions, COM.TD/W/510" ,dated 2November 1994.WT/COMTD/W/10
Page2
todeveloping country Members (LDCs), andforfurther efforts toaddress debtproblems, tohelpensure
economic growth anddevelopment. TheDeclaration alsorecognizes thattrade liberalization forms
anincreasingly important component inthesuccess oftheadjustment programmes thatmany Members
areundertaking, andthatthisoften involves significant transitional social costs. Ministers noted the
roleoftheWorld Bank andtheIMFinsupporting adjustment totradeliberalization, including support
tonetfood-importing developing country Members facing short-term costs arising from agricultural
trade reforms.
A. Measures toenhance trade opportunities fordeveloping country Members
Instrument Measures InFavour of/Concerning Article
Agreement onTextiles
andClothingMore favourable growth factor
Consideration ofparticular interestsSmall exporters, new
entrants andtotheextent
possible LLDCs
Cotton producing exporting
Members1:2
2:18
1:4
Agreement on
Technical Barriers
toTrade (TBT)Examination byinternational standardizing
bodies ofthepossibility ofpreparing
international standards (upon request)Products ofspecial interest
toLDCs12:6
General Agreement on
Trade inServices
(GATS)Negotiation ofspecific commitments Services sectors andmodes
ofsupply ofexport interest
toLDCs, inparticular
LLDCsIV:1
Decision onMeasures
inFavour ofLLDCsAutonomous implementation, inadvance and
without staging, ofUruguay Round concessions
ontariffs andnon-tariff measures
Consideration ofimproving preferential
treatment
Adoption ofpositive measures which facilitate
theexpansion oftrading opportunitiesProducts ofexport interest
toLLDCs
Products ofexport interest
toLLDCs
LLDCs2(ii)
2(ii)
3WT/COMTD/W/10
Page3
B. Measures safeguarding developing country Members 'interests, tobeimplemented domestically
Instrument Measures InFavour of/Concerning Article
Agreement onSanitary
andPhytosanitary
Measures (SPS)Consideration ofspecial needs inthe
preparation andapplication ofSPSmeasures
Longer time-frames forcompliance withnew
SPSmeasures
Allow areasonable interval between the
publication andentry intoforce ofaSPS
regulationLDCs, andinparticular of
theLLDCs
Products of
interest toLDCs
Inparticular,
producers ofLDCs10:1
10:2
Annex B,
para. 2
Agreement onTextiles
andClothingConsideration ofparticular interests
Significantly more favourable treatment
regarding thetransitional safeguard2
More favourable treatment regarding the
application ofquota levels, growth rates and
flexibility inthetransitional safeguard
Special consideration ofneeds inthe
application ofquota levels, growth rates and
flexibility inthetransitional safeguard
More favourable treatment regarding the
transitional safeguard
Notransitional safeguardCotton producing exporting
Members
LLDCs
Small suppliers, new
entrants andtotheextent
possible alsoLLDCs
Comparatively small
textiles andclothing
exporters dependent onthe
wool sector
Exports ofMembers having
asignificant portion of
their exports inoutward
processing trade
Exports ofhandloom
fabrics from LDCs and
other specific products of
export interest toLDCs31:4
6:6(a)
1:2
6:6(b)
6:6(c)
6:6(d)
Annex,
para. 3
TBT Agreement Allow areasonable interval between the
publication andentry intoforce ofatechnical
regulation andrequirements concerning
conformity assessment proceduresInparticular,
producers ofLDCs2:12
5:9
Consideration ofspecial needs inthe
implementation andoperation ofthe
Agreement; andinthepreparation and
application oftechnical regulations, standards
andconformity assessment proceduresLDCs 12:2
12:3
12:9
2Preferably inallelements butatleastingeneral terms.
3These are:hand-made cottage industry products orfolklore handicrafts when properly certified; historically traded products suchas
bags, sacks, etc.from juteandsome other fibres; andpuresilkproducts.WT/COMTD/W/10
Page4
Instrument Measures InFavour of/Concerning Article
Agreement onAnti-
DumpingSpecial regard ofspecial situation in
considering theapplication ofanti-dumping
measures
Exploring constructive remedies before
applying anti-dumping dutiesLDCs
Products ofessential
interest ofLDCs15
15
Agreement onImport
Licensing ProceduresConsideration ofneeds topreventing trade
distortions arising from aninappropriate
operation ofadministrative procedures used to
implement import licensing régimes
Better treatment inallocating licences among
importersLDCs
Products from LDCs,
inparticular LLDCs1:2
3:5(j)
Agreement on
Subsidies and
Countervailing
MeasuresPositive demonstration thatArticle 6:1
subsidies caused serious prejudice
Application ofdefined threshold forclassifying
thevolume ofsubsidized imports asnegligible
More favourable threshold forclassifying the
level ofsubsidization asdeminimis
Noactionability under multilateral rules of
direct forgiveness ofdebtandcertain other
subsidies inthecontext ofaprivatization
programmeSubsidies granted
byLDCs
Subsidized imports
from LDCs
Subsidized imports
from LDCs
Subsidies granted
byLDCs27:8
27:10
27:10
27:11
27:13
Agreement on
SafeguardsExemption from safeguard measures provided
theyremain below acertain thresholdImports from
LDCs9:1
GATS Establishment ofcontact points tofacilitate the
access toinformation relating toMembers '
marketsService suppliers ofLDCs,
inparticular LLDCsIV:2
Dispute Settlement
Understanding (DSU)Special attention toparticular problems and
interests during consultations
Duerestraint inusing thedispute settlement
mechanismLDCs
Measures taken
byLLDC4:10
24:1
Decision onMeasures
inFavour ofLLDCsSpecial consideration ofexport interests when
applying import restrictionsLLDCs 2(iv)WT/COMTD/W/10
Page5
C.Measures safeguarding developing country Members 'interests, tobeimplemented multilaterally
Instrument Measures InFavour of/Concerning Article
WTO Agreement Periodical review ofthespecial provisions and
propose actionLLDCs IV:7
Agreement on
AgricultureConsideration ofspecial anddifferential
treatment inthenegotiations forcontinuing the
reform inagricultural tradeLDCs 20(c)
TBT Agreement Consideration ofspecial needs inthe
implementation andoperation oftheAgreement
Facilitation ofparticipation ininternational
standardizing bodies andinternational systems
forconformity assessment
Periodical examination ofthespecial and
differential treatmentLDCs
Relevant bodies inLDCs
LDCs12:2
12:5
12:10
Agreement on
Subsidies and
Countervailing
MeasuresMore favourable dispute resolution during the
transition period
Limitations onactionability
Review oftheconsistency ofaMember 's
countervailing measure withspecial and
differential treatment (upon request)Export subsidies and
subsidies contingent upon
theuseofdomestic over
imported goods granted by
LDCs
Subsidized products
from LDCs
LDCs27:7
27:9
27:15
GATS Consideration ofneeds when disciplines
concerning subsidies willbedeveloped
Inclusion ofspecial treatment inguidelines for
future trade liberalizing roundsLDCs
LLDCsXV:1
XIX:3WT/COMTD/W/10
Page6
Instrument Measures InFavour of/Concerning Article
DSU Inclusion ofatleast onepanellist from aLDC
inthepanel (upon request)
Possible extension ofperiods forconsultations,
agreed byparties ordecided byChairman of
Dispute Settlement Body
Accord sufficient timetoprepare andpresent
argumentation before thepanel
Explicit indication inthepanel report ofhow
special anddifferential provisions raised were
considered
Particular attention inthesurveillance ofthe
implementation ofrecommendations orrulings
Consideration ofwhat further action might be
taken
Particular consideration tothespecial situation
atallstages ofthedisputeDisputes between aLDC
andadeveloped country
Member
Disputes involving a
measure taken byaLDC
LDCs when
defendant party
Disputes where oneor
more members isaLDC
Matters affecting the
interests ofLDCs
Case brought
byaLDC
Disputes involving a
measure taken byaLLDC8:10
12:10
12:10
12:11
21:2
21:7
21:8
24:1
Decision onMeasures
inFavour ofLLDCsRegular reviews forensuring expeditious
implementation ofallspecial anddifferential
measuresLLDCs 2(i)
Decision Relating to
LLDCs andNetFood-
Importing Developing
Countries (NFICs)Periodical review ofthelevel offood aid
Establishing alevel offood aidcommitments
sufficient tomeet legitimate needs during the
reform programme
Adoption ofguidelines forensuring thatan
increasing proportion ofbasic foodstuffs is
provided
Ensuring thatanyagreement relating to
agricultural export credits makes appropriate
provision fordifferential treatment
Possibility ofdrawing ontheresources of
international financial institutions incases of
short-term difficulties infinancing normal
levels ofcommercial importsLLDCs andNFICs
LDCs
LLDCs andNFICs
LLDCs andNFICs
LLDCs andNFICs3(i)
3(i)
3(ii)
4
5WT/COMTD/W/10
Page7
D. Support Measures
Instrument Measures InFavour of Granted By Article
Understanding on
Balance-of-Payments
ProvisionsAssisting inpreparing
documentation fortheconsultationsLDCs WTO Secretariat Para. 12
Agreement onSPS
MeasuresFacilitate theprovision ofassistance
forcomplying withtrading partners '
requirements
Providing assistance where
substantial investments arerequired
forcomplying withtrading partners '
requirements
Encourage andfacilitate active
participation ininternational
organizations related toSPS
regulations
Drawing attention tonotifications
relating toproducts ofparticular
interestEspecially
LDCs
LDCs
LDCs
LDCsMembers or
international
organizations
Members
Members
WTO Secretariat9:1
9:2
10:4
Annex B,
para. 9
TBT Agreement Drawing attention tonotifications
relating toproducts ofparticular
interest
Advice onthepreparation of
technical regulations (upon request)
Advice andassistance forthe
establishment ofnational
standardizing bodies andthe
participation ininternational
standardizing bodies (upon request)
Advice/assistance forthe
establishment ofregulatory bodies
orbodies fortheassessment of
conformity withtechnical
regulations, andonthemethods to
bestmeet technical regulations
(upon request)LDCs
Especially
LDCs andin
particular
LLDCs
Especially
LDCs andin
particular
LLDCs
Especially
LDCs andin
particular
LLDCs
producersWTO Secretariat
Members
Members and
national
standardizing
bodies
Members
(assistance) and
regulatory
bodies within
their territories
(advice)10:6
11:1
11:2
11:3WT/COMTD/W/10
Page8
Instrument Measures InFavour of Granted By Article
TBT Agreement Advice andassistance forthe
establishment ofbodies forthe
assessment ofconformity with
standards (upon request)
Advice andassistance onthesteps
tobetaken tohave access to
systems forconformity assessment
(upon request)
Advice andassistance forthe
establishment oftheinstitutions and
legal framework necessary for
becoming member orparticipating
ininternational orregional systems
forconformity assessment (upon
request)
Assistance inensuring that
preparation andapplication of
technical regulations, standards and
conformity assessment procedures
donotcreate unnecessary obstacles
toexportsEspecially
LDCs andin
particular
LLDCs
Especially
LDCs andin
particular
LLDCs
Especially
LDCs andin
particular
LLDCs
LDCsMembers
Members
Members and
bodies within
their territories
which are
members or
participate in
international or
regional systems
forconformity
assessment
Members11:4
11:5
11:6
11:7
12:7
Agreement on
Customs ValuationTechnical assistance, ingeneral
(upon request)
Preparation ofastudy onthe
problem regarding thenon-inclusion
inthecustoms value ofspecial
discounts andcommissions obtained
bysoleagents, soleconcessionaires
andsoledistributors (upon request)LDCs
LDCsDeveloped
country
Members
Notspecified20:3
Annex III:5
Agreement on
Preshipment InspectionTechnical assistance, ingeneral
(upon request)User Members
(i.e.LDCs)Exporter
Members3:3WT/COMTD/W/10
Page9
Instrument Measures InFavour of Granted By Article
GATS Technical assistance tobedecided
upon bytheCouncil forTrade in
Services
Encouragement andsupport for
telecommunications co-operation at
theinternational, regional andsub-
regional levels
Provision ofinformation for
assisting instrengthening the
domestic telecommunications
services sector
Give special consideration tohelp
LLDCs inobtaining assistance from
foreign suppliers of
telecommunications services
regarding thetransfer oftechnology,
training andother activities for
strengthening telecommunications
services sectorLDCs
LDCs
LDCs
LLDCsWTO Secretariat
Members
Members inco-
operation with
relevant
international
organizations
MembersXXVI:2
Annex on
Telecommu-
nications, 6(b)
Annex on
Telecommu-
nications, 6(c)
Annex on
Telecommu-
nications, 6(d)
TRIPS Agreement Incentives toenterprises and
institutions indeveloped country
Members territories forthepurpose
ofpromoting andencouraging
technology transfer
Technical andfinancial cooperation4
(upon request)LLDCs
LDCs and
LLDCsDeveloped
country
Members
Developed
country
Members66:2
67
DSU Qualified legal advice andassistance LDCs WTO Secretariat
(Technical Co-
operation)27:2
Trade Policy Review
MechanismAssistance inthecompilation of
national reports (upon request)LDCs,
particularly to
LLDCsWTO Secretariat Section D
4Includesassistanceinthepreparationofdomesticlegislationontheprotectionandenforcementofintellectualpropertyrights,theprevention
oftheirabuse, andsupport regarding theestablishment orreinforcement ofdomestic offices andagencies which arerelevant forthesematters,
including thetraining ofpersonnel.WT/COMTD/W/10
Page10
Instrument Measures InFavour of Granted By Article
Decision onMeasures
inFavour ofLLDCsIncreased technical assistance in
developing, strengthening and
diversifying production and
exporting bases including those of
servicesLLDCs Notspecified 2(v)
Decision Relating to
LLDCs andNFICsConsideration torequests forthe
provision oftechnical andfinancial
assistance toimprove agricultural
productivity andinfrastructureLLDCs and
NFICsMembers 3(iii)
Decision relating to
theAgreement on
Customs ValuationPreparation ofstudies inareas of
potential concern toLDCsLDCs Customs Co-
operation
CouncilText 2
Decision on
Institutional
Arrangements forthe
GATSAssistance inrespect ofmatters
affecting trade inservices in
different sectorsLDCs and
developing
countries
negotiating
accession tothe
WTOSectoral
committees2(e)