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2007年3月WTO对澳大利亚贸易政策审议-主席总结发言(英文)
TRADE POLICY REVIEW: AUSTRALIA
5 and 7 March 2007


             Concluding remarks by the Chairperson




The fifth Trade Policy Review of Australia has contributed to a much better understanding of recent developments in Australia's trade and trade-related policies. I thank Mr. Langman and his delegation as well as the Discussant, Ambassador Sun Zhenyu of China, and Members of the TPRB for contributing to our fruitful exchange of views. Australia's response to the questions posed by the Discussant as well as Members was also appreciated.

Members acknowledged the high degree of transparency in the formulation and evaluation of Australia's economic policies. Transparency has contributed to the continued process of reform, which in turn has contributed to the strong GDP growth of Australia over the past 15 consecutive years. Trade liberalization, much of it unilateral, has played an integral part in the reform. Indeed, Australia's economy is now among the most open in the world. Australia's prudent macroeconomic policies have helped to strengthen the economy's resilience to external shocks. Accordingly, inflation rate has been kept, by and large, within the Central Bank's targeted range. Both the Commonwealth and the state governments have achieved fiscal surpluses, and net government debt has been eliminated. In addition, unemployment has fallen to its lowest level since the 1970s.

Members welcomed Australia's active role in the multilateral trading system, particularly its strong support for the Doha Development Agenda. At the same time, they remarked on Australia's increasing involvement in bilateral/regional trading arrangements, and urged Australia to ensure that these arrangements are fully compatible with the multilateral trading system.

Members acknowledged Australia's low level of applied tariff protection, and welcomed its unilateral reduction of tariffs for passenger motor vehicles and textiles, clothing and footwear in 2005. Despite the cuts in tariffs applied to these products, their rates remain considerably higher than the average applied MFN rate. Some Members enquired about plans to reduce tariff protection (and other assistance) to these industries. Several Members remarked that more than 40% of Australia's bound rates exceeded applied MFN rates by at least five percentage points, thereby imparting a degree of unpredictability to the tariff. However, Australia has not raised any tariffs during the review period. Members also expressed their concern on tariff escalation, which could impede developing countries' industrialization.

Several Members urged Australia to reassess its position as the only major industrialized country that is not a signatory to the WTO Agreement on Government Procurement. Certain Members raised questions concerning protection of intellectual property rights. Members also remarked on the continued progress in competition policy and regulatory reform, especially with regard to infrastructure services.

Several Members expressed their concern on the screening procedures for foreign direct investment. They also sought for clarification on Australia's foreign investment regulations, particularly with regard to mining, which has been one of the major driving forces behind Australia's recent economic growth.

Although agriculture accounts for a relatively small share of GDP, it has played a much bigger role in exports. Several Members noted that a review of the single-desk arrangement concerning exports of a few agricultural products has been recommended under Australia's National Competition Policy, and urged Australia to consider eliminating this arrangement. On agricultural imports, Members pointed to the strictness of Australia's SPS requirements and voiced concern over their trade restrictiveness and the lengthiness of related procedures; however, they also noted steps taken by the authorities to improve import risk analyses,
Given that services dominate Australia's economy, certain Members remarked that Australia's commitments made in RTAs in some specific sectors go beyond its GATS commitments. They also acknowledged liberalization in the financial, telecommunications, and transportation services and sought clarification on plans to further liberalize these and other services.

This Review has been very useful in giving Members an overview of Australia's trade policies and practices and the challenges it faces. I would once again like to thank the Australian delegation, the Discussant, Members, and the Secretariat for contributing to a very enlightening two days of discussions. We look forward to receiving Australia's outstanding responses within the next month.
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