2007年1月WTO对乍得贸易政策审议 -主席总结发言(英文)
TRADE POLICY REVIEW: CHAD
22 and 24 January 2007
Concluding remarks by the Chairperson
This first Trade Policy Review of Chad has fostered a better understanding of its economic environment and of the challenges it faces. Our discussions have benefited from the engagement of the delegation of Chad, led by His Excellency Mr. Youssouf Abassalah, Minister of Trade and Handicraft, the excellent contributions of the discussant, Ambassador Feyder, and interventions by Members.
Members noted the strong economic growth that accompanied the development of oil production by Chad, and encouraged it to further redirect oil revenues into priority projects to improve its Human Development Index; its GDP per capita doubled between 2002 and 2004. They suggested incorporating trade policy elements into Chad's Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper, and linking them to such issues as sustainable development and protecting the environment. The Darfur crisis has had a severe influence on the Chadian economy. Plans to improve the business environment, including measures to address governance issues and promote investment, and adoption of an Investment Charter would be welcome. Members were interested in the degree of trade integration within the Central African Economic and Monetary Community and the Economic Community of Central African States, and in the advancement of negotiations on an Economic Partnership Agreement with the European Communities.
Members enquired about Chad's technical assistance needs in trade facilitation, and in customs-related areas. They urged Chad to simplify its registration and customs procedures, terminate its recourse to minimal import values, and fully implement the WTO Agreement on Customs Valuation. Members invited Chad to reduce its high border taxation and noted that in doing so it would better comply with its WTO commitments, which could be improved. Many duties and taxes are imposed on imports despite being bound by Chad at zero. Concerns were expressed about the imposition of various export taxes. Members encouraged Chad to fulfil its notification obligations, including on an updated version of its tariff, and on TBT and SPS measures. Interest was expressed in the announced competition law.
Members encouraged Chad to liberalize its services sector (including the privatization of SOTEL Tchad), as it has a central role in the performance of the economy. Such liberalization, together with increased productivity in agriculture (80% of total employment) and further reforms in the cotton subsector (including the Cotonchad company), should contribute to the diversification of the economy and sustain growth. Other issues of interest to Members include structural reforms (e.g. privatization of State monopolies); application of internal taxes to imports and domestic production; government procurement; intellectual property protection; and the creation of a domestic refinery.
Members appreciated the responses provided by the delegation of Chad, and look forward to receiving written answers to any outstanding questions.
In conclusion, Chad's future economic performance remains dependent upon its socio-political stability and the strengthening of its diversification efforts. Full implementation of the WTO Agreements by Chad and improvement of its multilateral commitments on goods and services would enhance the transparency and predictability of its trade regime, and help to attract the foreign direct investment needed for diversification purposes. I urge both the WTO Membership and the Secretariat to be receptive to Chad's assistance needs. Such assistance, together with economic reforms and further multilateral trade liberalization (including in the cotton sub-sector), would help it to better integrate into the multilateral trading system.
22 and 24 January 2007
Concluding remarks by the Chairperson
This first Trade Policy Review of Chad has fostered a better understanding of its economic environment and of the challenges it faces. Our discussions have benefited from the engagement of the delegation of Chad, led by His Excellency Mr. Youssouf Abassalah, Minister of Trade and Handicraft, the excellent contributions of the discussant, Ambassador Feyder, and interventions by Members.
Members noted the strong economic growth that accompanied the development of oil production by Chad, and encouraged it to further redirect oil revenues into priority projects to improve its Human Development Index; its GDP per capita doubled between 2002 and 2004. They suggested incorporating trade policy elements into Chad's Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper, and linking them to such issues as sustainable development and protecting the environment. The Darfur crisis has had a severe influence on the Chadian economy. Plans to improve the business environment, including measures to address governance issues and promote investment, and adoption of an Investment Charter would be welcome. Members were interested in the degree of trade integration within the Central African Economic and Monetary Community and the Economic Community of Central African States, and in the advancement of negotiations on an Economic Partnership Agreement with the European Communities.
Members enquired about Chad's technical assistance needs in trade facilitation, and in customs-related areas. They urged Chad to simplify its registration and customs procedures, terminate its recourse to minimal import values, and fully implement the WTO Agreement on Customs Valuation. Members invited Chad to reduce its high border taxation and noted that in doing so it would better comply with its WTO commitments, which could be improved. Many duties and taxes are imposed on imports despite being bound by Chad at zero. Concerns were expressed about the imposition of various export taxes. Members encouraged Chad to fulfil its notification obligations, including on an updated version of its tariff, and on TBT and SPS measures. Interest was expressed in the announced competition law.
Members encouraged Chad to liberalize its services sector (including the privatization of SOTEL Tchad), as it has a central role in the performance of the economy. Such liberalization, together with increased productivity in agriculture (80% of total employment) and further reforms in the cotton subsector (including the Cotonchad company), should contribute to the diversification of the economy and sustain growth. Other issues of interest to Members include structural reforms (e.g. privatization of State monopolies); application of internal taxes to imports and domestic production; government procurement; intellectual property protection; and the creation of a domestic refinery.
Members appreciated the responses provided by the delegation of Chad, and look forward to receiving written answers to any outstanding questions.
In conclusion, Chad's future economic performance remains dependent upon its socio-political stability and the strengthening of its diversification efforts. Full implementation of the WTO Agreements by Chad and improvement of its multilateral commitments on goods and services would enhance the transparency and predictability of its trade regime, and help to attract the foreign direct investment needed for diversification purposes. I urge both the WTO Membership and the Secretariat to be receptive to Chad's assistance needs. Such assistance, together with economic reforms and further multilateral trade liberalization (including in the cotton sub-sector), would help it to better integrate into the multilateral trading system.
智能问答
