WTO/FTA咨询网

当前位置:首页> 贸易政策审议 > 2007年> 2007年2月WTO对阿根廷贸易政策审议

来源: 类型:

2007年2月WTO对阿根廷贸易政策审议 -主席总结发言(英文)
TRADE POLICY REVIEW: ARGENTINA
12 and 14 February 2007

               Concluding remarks by the Chairperson


This third Review of the trade policies of Argentina has contributed to a much better understanding of their evolution during a particularly eventful period for the Argentinean economy. We owe this to the active participation of Ambassadors Stancanelli and Dumont as well as of the rest of the Argentinean delegation; to the insightful interventions by the discussant, Ambassador Gosper; and to the engagement of the many Members which took part in this exercise.

Members unanimously congratulated Argentina on its remarkable economic recovery since 2003, following one of the country's most severe economic crises in modern history. They expressed great satisfaction at Argentina's success in reducing unemployment and poverty, and at the clear improvements in the internal and external balances. However, several Members expressed concern about the long-term sustainability of Argentina's economic policy mix, noting that reliance on administrative measures to control inflation might provide temporary relief but risked building supply and demand imbalances and undermining the investment climate. Argentina was thus invited to consider removing temporary measures, and to rely to a greater extent on market forces to allocate resources.

Members noted that the investment regime was generally open but encouraged Argentina to enhance investor confidence. To achieve this, Argentina could expand its GATS commitments, which Members observed covered only 6 of the 12 sectors specified in the GATS. Narrowing the considerable gap between applied and bound tariffs would also bring greater predictability to the trade and investment regime. The DDA offers Argentina an excellent opportunity to seek such improvements, while buttressing the international trading environment within which Argentina plays an important role as an exporter of agricultural commodities and, increasingly, of industrial products. In this regard, Members pointed out that Argentina had much to gain from a successful conclusion of the DDA, recognizing at the same time Argentina's very active participation in the WTO and the current negotiations.

Members commended Argentina for having lowered its average applied tariff since its last review while expressing concern with respect to the use and impact of export taxes. Argentina emphasized that export taxes are intended to comply with social and financial obligations and that there is no definite target date for their elimination. Members acknowledged that these taxes were an important source of fiscal revenue but noted that export taxes could distort trade patterns and have a negative impact on trading partners.

Replying to Members' queries, Argentina indicated that imports receive national treatment on the application of internal taxes and that local content requirements associated to incentive schemes were not mandatory. Argentina also provided information on its import licensing regime, government procurement procedures, and certain IPR-related issues, with Members recognizing Argentina's efforts to improve IPR protection.

6. In response to questions concerning agriculture, Argentina indicated that there are no longer export restrictions in place, and described new measures being introduced to prevent increases in the consumer price of certain food items. On fuel-related matters, Argentina explained the causes for the restrictions on natural gas exports, noting that by law national demand must be met first. Also provided were clarifications concerning various aspects of insurance and professional services, as well as cabotage restrictions and exceptions in air and maritime transport. Members expressed their appreciation for the extensive responses and explanations provided by the Argentine delegation, and some Members said that they looked forward to receiving answers on still outstanding questions.

In conclusion, Members welcomed Argentina's economic recovery and the marked improvement in its key social indicators since 2003. Members also encouraged Argentina to pursue policies that would ensure the sustainability of growth and allow the fulfilment of its potential. Sound foundations for this can be established by building such policies on the WTO principles of transparency, predictability and non-discrimination. This would also befit Argentina's strong historical support for the multilateral trading system. In this regard, we look forward to Argentina's continuous and constructive role in the DDA.
智能问答