UNCTAD organized an Expert Group meeting, in Geneva, for the Least Developed Countries (LDC) to discuss the progress made on the items covered by the LDC Package (TN/C/W/63) namely, duty-free and quota-free market access, Preferential rules of origin, the Services Waiver and the "Cotton issue".
The overall goal of the meeting was to offer a platform where the LDC delegations and experts could share views and reflect on the "LDC Package" in the run-up to the 9th World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial Conference of 3-6 December 2013 to be held in Bali, Indonesia.
The meeting opened with remarks from Mr Seraphin Lissassi, Ambassador and Coordinator for the LDC (Benin); Mr Shanker Das Bairagi, Ambassador (Nepal) and Mr Taffere Tesfachew, Director (UNCTAD).
Presentations on preferences linked to duty-free and quota-free market access, rules of origin and the "LDC Package", were made by Mr Hari Odari, Second Secretary, Permanent Mission of Nepal, Geneva -- with comments by Mr Craig Van Grasstek, President, Washington Trade Reporter, and Mr Stefano Inama, Senior Expert, UNCTAD.
Ms. Oksana Zirkuna, European Union, Trade Commission discussed at length the recent changes in the European Commission's approach to duty free and quota free rules of origin; and Mr Ping Liu, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of China, Geneva, discussed China's implementation status of the preference regime to the LDC.
A presentation on the LDC position regarding the operationalization of the service waiver was carried out by Mr Bijoy Bhattacharjee, Economic Minister, Permanent Mission of Bangladesh, Geneva -- with comments by Mr Pierre Sauvé, Director, World Trade Institute, Bern.
The "cotton proposal" was presented by Mr Prosper Vokouma, Ambassador, Permanent Mission of Burkina Faso, Geneva.
The high attendance of the LDCs delegates and their lively interaction with the experts provided constructive feedback on areas where further analytical work may be considered.
Benin, as the LDCs Coordinator, conveyed appreciation to UNCTAD and expressed desire for continued UNCTAD support.
