ABSTRACT
A major share of the work programme stems from the WTO Agreement and decisions adopted at Marrakesh. As part of these Agreements and decisions we agreed to a number of provisions calling for future negotiations on Agriculture, Services and aspects of TRIPS, or reviews and other work on Anti-Dumping, Customs Valuation, Dispute Settlement Understanding, Import Licensing, Preshipment Inspection, Rules of Origin, Sanitary and Phyto-Sanitary Measures, Safeguards, Subsidies and Countervailing Measures, Technical Barriers to Trade, Textiles and Clothing, Trade Policy Review Mechanism, Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights and Trade-Related Investment Measures. We agree to a process of analysis and exchange of information where provided for in the conclusions and recommendations of the relevant WTO bodies, on the Builtin Agenda issues, to allow members to better understand the issues involved and identify their interests before undertaking the agreed negotiations and reviews. We agree that: the time frames established in the Agreements will be respected in each case; the work undertaken shall not prejudge the scope of future negotiations where such negotiations are called for; and the work undertaken shall not prejudice the nature of the activity agreed upon (ie negotiation or review). Investment and competition 20 Having regard to the existing WTO provisions on matters related to investment and competition policy and the built-in agenda in these areas, including under the TRIMs Agreement, and on the understanding that the work undertaken shall not prejudge whether negotiations will be initiated in the future, we also agree to: establish a working group to examine the relationship between trade and investment; and establish a working group to study issues raised by members relating to the interaction between trade and competition policy, including anti-competitive practices, in order to identify any areas that may merit further consideration in the WTO framework. These groups shall draw upon each other’s work if necessary and also draw upon and be without prejudice to the work in UNCTAD and other appropriate intergovernmental fora. As regards UNCTAD, we welcome the work under way as provided for in the Midrand Declaration and the contribution it can make to the understanding of issues. In the conduct of the work of the working groups, we encourage co-operation with the above organisations to make the best use of available resources and to ensure that the development dimension is taken fully into account. The General Council will keep the work of each body under review, and will determine after two years how the work of each body should proceed. It is clearly understood that future negotiations, if any, regarding multilateral disciplines in these areas, will take place only after an explicit consensus decision is taken among WTO members regarding such negotiations. Transparency in government procurement 21 We further agree to: establish a working group to conduct a study on transparency in government procurement practices, taking into account national policies, and, based on this study, to develop elements for inclusion in an appropriate agreement; and direct the Council for Trade in Goods to undertake exploratory and analytical
this area. Trade facilitation 22 In the organisation of the work referred to in paras 20 and 21, careful attention will be given to minimising the burdens on delegations, especially those with more limited resources, and to co-ordinating meetings with those of relevant UNCTAD bodies. The technical co-operation programme of the Secretariat will be available to developing and, in particular, least-developed country members to facilitate their participation in this work. 23 Noting that the 50th anniversary of the multilateral trading system will occur early in 1998, we instruct the General Council to consider how this historic event can best be commemorated.
