"Through cooperation with the efforts of various international fora, the WTO system can contribute to international financial stability by securing liberalization on a non-discriminatory basis; and by ensuring that markets remain open and that the momentum for reform is not lost. I have long been associated with finance and trade. Both activities are mutually supportive. The dynamism and innovation of the financial sector has helped fuel growth in world trade and this has in turn opened new avenues for finance. Your support for the Round is important and I know that I can count on it, as much as you can count on my total input and my total dedication."

"The international environment is evolving, as a result of globalization and liberalization, as well as changes in the international policy framework, including WTO agreements and other international arrangements. Some policy instruments traditionally used to foster linkages are now considered less relevant or are subject to new multilateral rules, such as the WTO Agreement on Trade-related Investment Measures (TRIMs) or the Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures. For example, local content requirements have been phased out by most countries. Well-targeted incentives to support the creation and deepening of linkages can have a positive impact on linkages. Thought should be given to render this category of development-related subsidies non-actionable (i.e. not open to challenge) under WTO rules. On the other hand, preferential trade arrangements – with rules of origin based on the level of domestic value added or local content – can have important effects on FDI and linkage creation by TNCs in preference-receiving countries. In general, these effects are the more significant, the higher the preferential margin associated with rules of origin and the lower the related administrative costs. Linkage effects of rules of origin, however, also depend on local supply capacity."  

" Trade and investment are inextricably linked and should therefore be dealt with in a more integrated way. FDI is a major vehicle for international trade, accounting for at least one third of world trade flows. From a policy perspective, open trade regimes favour FDI inflows with the highest level of technology, while the open investment policies in a country are usually a positive factor to keep markets open and competitive.
Both markets and factors of production are closely linked in today's economy. An improvement of the environment for FDI would increase the investment opportunities and ensure better allocation and use of resources, the same way as trade liberalisation and rules do. As the process towards world-wide trade liberalization and rule-making trade has moved significantly forward, therefore, so should multilateral liberalization and protection of investment. The GATS, TRIMs and TRIPs agreements partially cover certain investment issues, but there is growing need for comprehensive rules on investment in all sectors. A basic framework of rules based on non-discrimination, transparency and an open policy environment for FDI would be beneficial for the world economy as trade rules have been for most countries in the past 50 years. "

" The establishment of multilateral rules on investment is an opportunity to move FDI flows from a purely power-based dynamic into a rule-based system. In our view, this should be done in the interest of all governments (developed and developing), all kinds of companies (MNEs and SMEs) but not at the expense of other concerns such as the environment, consumers, and labour conditions.
International investment should be dealt with in parallel with other policies such as competition, and environmental protection to which the behaviour of investors is closely linked. It would be an opportunity to develop, in a credible way, an agenda for a "harnessed globalisation"."