2006年9月WTO对刚果贸易政策审议-主席总结发言(英文)
TRADE POLICY REVIEW:
Concluding remarks by the Chairperson
1. This first Trade Policy Review of the Republic of the Congo has fostered a better understanding of its reconstruction efforts and the challenges it faces in building capacity to fully participate in the multilateral trading system. Our discussions have benefited greatly from the full engagement of the large, high-level delegation of the Republic of the Congo , led by Her Excellency Madame Moundele-Ngollo, Minister of Trade, Consumption and Supply, the excellent contributions of the discussant, Ambassador Amehou, and interventions by participants.
2. Following the emergence of the Republic of the Congo in 2002 from a decade of socio-political turmoil, the basis for economic recovery was established by structural reform, macroeconomic stabilization, and regulatory change. Privatization took place in the downstream petroleum industry, financial services, and tourism. The business environment was improved by new investment, forestry, and mining codes. Other reform priorities concerned the transport infrastructure, electricity, water, and fixed-line telecommunications. Members sought information on plans to further improve the trade and business environment, in particular the management of government petroleum receipts, public procurement, standards, and competition policy. Members enquired about progress on the poverty reduction strategy paper, currently under elaboration, and how it takes into account the role of trade policy, sustainable development, and social policy. They congratulated the Republic of the Congo on its sustainable forestry management and sought clarification on specific related aspects.
3. Members queried the consistency of the tariff exemptions for agricultural inputs with the common external tariff of the Central African Economic and Monetary Community, of which the Republic of the Congo is a member. They encouraged it to phase-out other duties and charges on imports as well as quantitative restrictions, reduce the tariff on cool boxes, reform the VAT regime, and improve the administration of sanitary and phytosanitary measures, to fully comply with WTO obligations. Members queried whether preshipment inspection was still needed, and whether technical assistance was required to fully implement the WTO Customs Valuation Agreement or to make notifications. Clarification was sought on the measures applying to trade in uncut diamonds, and the Republic of the Congo was encouraged to re-join the Kimberley Process.
4. Members asked whether the Republic of the Congo faced difficulties in implementing norms of intellectual property protection. Addressing bottlenecks in services would help it develop transit trade. On tourism, the Republic of the Congo was asked to clarify the classification criteria for hotels and the new regulations concerning agencies and establishments. Members encouraged the Republic of the Congo to improve its multilateral commitments on goods and services.
5. Members appreciated the responses provided by the Republic of the Congo , and looked forward to receiving written answers to outstanding questions.
6. In conclusion, I congratulate the Republic of the Congo on its commitment to trade integration, and encourage it to pursue its reform agenda. These reforms, supported by t rade-related technical assistance, would strengthen its adherence to WTO principles, as well as its ability to participate in the WTO. I urge trading partners to support the diversification efforts of the Republic of the Congo through better market access for its exports of goods and services, and I invite WTO Members and the Secretariat to be receptive to its technical assistance needs.
Concluding remarks by the Chairperson
1. This first Trade Policy Review of the Republic of the Congo has fostered a better understanding of its reconstruction efforts and the challenges it faces in building capacity to fully participate in the multilateral trading system. Our discussions have benefited greatly from the full engagement of the large, high-level delegation of the Republic of the Congo , led by Her Excellency Madame Moundele-Ngollo, Minister of Trade, Consumption and Supply, the excellent contributions of the discussant, Ambassador Amehou, and interventions by participants.
2. Following the emergence of the Republic of the Congo in 2002 from a decade of socio-political turmoil, the basis for economic recovery was established by structural reform, macroeconomic stabilization, and regulatory change. Privatization took place in the downstream petroleum industry, financial services, and tourism. The business environment was improved by new investment, forestry, and mining codes. Other reform priorities concerned the transport infrastructure, electricity, water, and fixed-line telecommunications. Members sought information on plans to further improve the trade and business environment, in particular the management of government petroleum receipts, public procurement, standards, and competition policy. Members enquired about progress on the poverty reduction strategy paper, currently under elaboration, and how it takes into account the role of trade policy, sustainable development, and social policy. They congratulated the Republic of the Congo on its sustainable forestry management and sought clarification on specific related aspects.
3. Members queried the consistency of the tariff exemptions for agricultural inputs with the common external tariff of the Central African Economic and Monetary Community, of which the Republic of the Congo is a member. They encouraged it to phase-out other duties and charges on imports as well as quantitative restrictions, reduce the tariff on cool boxes, reform the VAT regime, and improve the administration of sanitary and phytosanitary measures, to fully comply with WTO obligations. Members queried whether preshipment inspection was still needed, and whether technical assistance was required to fully implement the WTO Customs Valuation Agreement or to make notifications. Clarification was sought on the measures applying to trade in uncut diamonds, and the Republic of the Congo was encouraged to re-join the Kimberley Process.
4. Members asked whether the Republic of the Congo faced difficulties in implementing norms of intellectual property protection. Addressing bottlenecks in services would help it develop transit trade. On tourism, the Republic of the Congo was asked to clarify the classification criteria for hotels and the new regulations concerning agencies and establishments. Members encouraged the Republic of the Congo to improve its multilateral commitments on goods and services.
5. Members appreciated the responses provided by the Republic of the Congo , and looked forward to receiving written answers to outstanding questions.
6. In conclusion, I congratulate the Republic of the Congo on its commitment to trade integration, and encourage it to pursue its reform agenda. These reforms, supported by t rade-related technical assistance, would strengthen its adherence to WTO principles, as well as its ability to participate in the WTO. I urge trading partners to support the diversification efforts of the Republic of the Congo through better market access for its exports of goods and services, and I invite WTO Members and the Secretariat to be receptive to its technical assistance needs.
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