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Press release: The
trade regime has improved but greater predictability is needed
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1. This third Trade Policy Review of Bolivia has contributed to an
improved understanding of Bolivia's trade and related policies, as
well as of the challenges it faces. The Country and Secretariat
Reports, the exchanges between Members during the review, and the
written responses provided by Bolivia to questions by Members have
added to the transparency that is sought within the WTO, provided
valuable resource materials for all Members, and offered useful
insights for policy formulation in Bolivia. The participation of
Vice-Minister Asín, Ambassador Moscoso and their delegation greatly
contributed to our work, for which we express our sincere thanks. Our
thanks are also due to our discussant, Ambassador Hugueney, for his
insightful contribution to our discussions, and to the many Members
who have intervened to contribute to the success of this review.
2. Members welcomed Bolivia's recent export-driven growth but were
troubled by the stagnation of per capita income since its previous
Review in 1999. Moreover, although dynamic, exports were still
concentrated in a handful of products and markets. Several Members
considered that Bolivia's landlocked situation created significant
constraints to development and trade but it was also suggested that
there were ways in which these constraints could be eased. Thus,
Bolivia was encouraged to increase investment in infrastructure and in
human capital. It was also invited to promote competition, including
through the adoption of a comprehensive competition law.
3. Members noted Bolivia's political and social instability in recent
years. Against the background of already falling foreign investment,
they expressed concerns over the uncertainty introduced by the
adoption of the new Hydrocarbons Law, and its effects on both domestic
and foreign investment. In this connection, Bolivia could provide
greater predictability to its investment regime by anchoring it
externally through multilateral commitments. In particular, some
Members invited Bolivia to make further GATS commitments in specific
areas, which currently fall far short of the actual level of
liberalization of Bolivia's services sector.
4. Members commended Bolivia for its strong commitment to trade
liberalization despite the difficulties it experienced during the
period under review. In the long term, this commitment will place
Bolivia in a good position to reap the benefits of increased trade and
economic growth. Members also praised Bolivia for its active
participation in the WTO including in the DDA. Members noted Bolivia's
participation in a number of preferential trade agreements, and
highlighted the importance of ensuring that these agreements
complement the multilateral trading system.
5. There was general praise for Bolivia's efforts to modernize and
simplify its trade regime, which was considered on the whole open.
Members welcomed Bolivia's efforts to facilitate trade although they
also mentioned that customs procedures could be further streamlined.
In addition, Bolivia was invited to reduce the gap between applied and
bound tariffs. One Member suggested that Bolivia take steps to reduce
informal trade, while some others invited it to ensure that SPS
measures do not impose unnecessary barriers to trade. Members welcomed
Bolivia's efforts to improve IPR protection and encouraged it to
complete the process initiated in 2001 to adopt a new law.
6. This brings us to the conclusion of Bolivia's third Trade Policy
Review. I thank the Bolivian delegation for the responses provided
during the meeting and look forward to receiving answers on
outstanding questions. I welcome Bolivia's stated conviction that an
open trade and investment regime contributes to economic development
and poverty alleviation. This outward orientation together with a
coherent approach to address internal problems will be critical for
Bolivia to achieve faster, sustainable growth. The external
environment is important as well. In this respect, I invite Members to
address the trade barriers that affect Bolivia's trade. I also urge
Bolivia to enhance its multilateral commitments in the context of the
DDA both to help strengthen the multilateral trading system and to
provide its trade regime with greater predictability. |
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