PRESS BRIEF

IMPLEMENTATION DEADLINES FOR WTO AGREEMENTS AND DATES FOR STARTING FUTURE MULTILATERAL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS

Many of the Accords agreed during the Uruguay Round specify future dates for continuing review or negotiations of specific sectors or subject areas. Below is a list of some of the most important dates and deadlines.

1996

*  Net Food Importing countries: Ministers are to review the Decision on Measures Concerning the Possible Negative Effects of the Reform Program on Least-Developed and Net Food Importing Developing Countries at the Ministerial Conference in Singapore.

1997

*  Textiles and Clothing: review of the implementation of the Agreement by 1997.

*  Preshipment Inspection: review of the operation and implementation of the Agreement by 1997.

*  Basic Telecoms: conclusion of the negotiations on 15 February 1997.

*  Financial Services: from 1 November 1997, participants in the interim agreement may, for a period of 60 days, modify or withdraw all or part of their specific commitments and/or list MFN exemptions relating to financial services.

1998

*  Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS): review of the operation and implementation of the Agreement by 1998.

*  Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT): review of the operation and implementation of the Agreement by 1998.

*  Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS): further negotiations starting in 1998, with a view to broadening and improving the Agreement on the basis of mutual reciprocity

1999

*  Dispute Settlement Understanding: full review of dispute settlement rules and procedures by 1999.

*  Government Procurement: further negotiations starting in 1999, with a view to improving the Agreement and achieving the greatest possible extension of its coverage among all Parties on the basis of mutual reciprocity.

*  Investment Measures (TRIMS): review of the operation of the Agreement and discussion on whether provisions on investment policy and competition policy should be included in the Agreement.

2000

*  Agriculture: negotiations for continuing the process of substantial progressive reductions in support and protection.

*  Services: new round of negotiations starting in 2000 with a view to achieving a progressively higher level of liberalization

*  Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS): review of the implementation of the Agreement after 1 January 2000.

*  Trade Policy review Body: appraisal of the operation of the policy review mechanism by 2000.

2001

*  Textiles and Clothing: review of the implementation of the Agreement by 2001.

2004

*  Textiles and Clothing: review of the implementation of the Agreement by 2004.

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