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GATT Library | js325bf2895 | Provisional agenda | General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, June 9, 1996 | General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (Organization) and Council | 09/06/1996 | official documents | C/67 and C/67 | https://exhibits.stanford.edu/gatt/catalog/js325bf2895 | js325bf2895_90410306.xml | GATT_1 | 70 | 635 | RESTRICTED
GENERAL AGREEMENT ON C/67 9 June 1996
TARIFFS AND TRADE Limited Distribution
CONUCIL
10 June 1966
PROVISIONAL AGENDA
1. New Zealand Import Restrictions (L/2649)
2. Balance-of-Payments Import Restrictions
Reports on consultations with Brazil (L/2634 and Corr.1) and
Spain (L/2635)
3. Accession of Yugoslavia
4. Accession of Korea (L/2655)
5. Financial and Administrative Questions
(a) Assessment of additional. contributions(L/2654)
(b) Membership of Committe
6. Programme of meetings (C/W/105)
Other Business |
GATT Library | bp964ff7066 | Trade among Developing Countries | General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, January 27, 1996 | General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (Organization), Committee on Trade and Development, and Group on Expansion of Trade Among Less-Developed Countries | 27/01/1996 | official documents | COM.TD/D/W/3 and COM.TD/D/W/1-4 | https://exhibits.stanford.edu/gatt/catalog/bp964ff7066 | bp964ff7066_90560066.xml | GATT_1 | 8,601 | 59,553 | RESTRICTED
GENERAL AGREEMENT ON COM.TD/D/W/3
TARIFFS AND TRADE Limited Distribution
Committee on Trade and Development
Group on Expansion of Trade Among
Less-Developed Countries
TRADE AMONG DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
Introduction:
1. At its meeting in June 1965 the Ad Hoc Group on expansion of Trade Among
Developing Countries had a preliminary discussion on certain problems relating
to the expansion of trade among developing countries. Some of these problems
were illustrated in a pilot study prepared by the secretariat, on tarif and non-
tariff barriers affecting such trade (COM.TD/D/W/1). The Group also had an
exchange of views on certain proposals before the Committee on Trade and Development
on the use of preferences among developing countries (COM.TD/D/2 and D/W/1). On
the basis of this exchange of views, the Group drew up a list of questions, some
of which were aimed at eliciting the specific rôle which regional and more
generalized systems of preferences could be expected to perform in expanding the
trade and furthering the economic developments of developing countries.
2. It has been suggested that it would facilitate the task of the Group in
identifying appropriate policy measures for expanding regional and inter-regional
trade of developing countries, if the secretariat could supply relatively detailed
statistical and analytical data on the pattern of this trade. The secretariat
has accordingly drawn up the present paper which analyzes, to the extent permitted
by the data available, the composition of imports of developing countries from
both other developing countries and the developed countries. An attempt has also
been made to summarize some broad conclusions suggested by the study of the data.
General structure of the exports and the imports of developing countries
3. Table 1 shows the exports of less-developed countries to developed and less-
developed areas over a number of years. This table will indicate that between
1956. and 1964 experts of developing countries to developed countries increased by
36 per cent as compared to a 20 per cent increase in exports of developing countries COM.TD/D/W/3
Page 2
to developing countries. At the same time, exports of foodstuffs and raw materials
to both developed and developing areas registered only marginal increases and the
greater dynamism in exports of developing countries to the developed areas was
accounted for mainly by the appreciable increase in exports of fuels and by a lesser
increase in exports of manufactures. Over this period exports oa manufactures
from developing countries to the developed areas increased by 65 per cent, while
those to developing countries increased by 40 per cent.1
Pattern of imports into developing countries
4. Table 2. shows the imports of developing countries by major product categories
from the three economic groups over the same period of years. This table indicates
that between 1956 and 1964 imports of developing countries (calculated on a f.o.b.
basis) from developed countries increased by 36 per cent as compared to a 20 per
cent increase in imports from developing countries. The higher rate of increase
in imports from developed countries was accounted for largely by the more rapid
increase in imports of foodstuffs and raw materials from those areas. A fuller
breakdown of imports into developing countries from the three economic areas on the
basis of the 1962 figures is given in Table 3 which contains additional information
relating to certain important products, under the product categories shown in the
table. This shows that of total imports into developing countries amourting to
nearly $28,000 million (f.o.b.) about two thirds were accounted for by manufactured
goods, one fifth by foodstuffs, 8 per cent by fuels, and 5 per cent by raw materials,
mainly of agricultural, origin. Among manufactured goods, machinery and transport
equipment were most important, accounting for about 30 per cent of total imports,
but eight industrial products also reached significant proportions so as to
constitute one fifth of total imports.
The figures for trade among developing countries in this paragraph and at
the beginning of the next paragraph are based on unadjusted values of trade,
without deducting re-exports (mainly in the South-East Asian region) and shipments
of crude petroleum for processing and subsequent export. As such re-exports, etc.
have been diminishing in importance since 1956, the growth of net trade among
developing countries has been faster than suggested by these figures. COM.TD/D/W/3
Page 5
5. More than three quarters of these imports originated in developed countries,
while trade in developing countries represented one sixth and supplies from the
Eastern trading area about 7 per cent of the total imports. The share of developing
countries as compared to that of developed countries tended to be minor even in those
products in which there, is substantial production in the, developing areas. For
instance, about one half of the imports of foodstuffs and agricultural raw
material (excluding wheat and dairy products which are mainly produced in developed
countries) came from developing countries. Similarly, trade in light industry
products among developing countries was relatively modest as compared with imports
from developed countries.
6. In all less-developed regions taken individually intra-regional trade
represents a large part of their trade with less-developed countries as a group.
Thus in 1962 trade among the countries of Latin America accounted for almost
three quarters of this area' s exports to all less-developed countries if shipments
of crude petroleum from Venezuela for refiningin the Netherlands Antilles were
excluded. Similarly, intra-South-East Asian trade accounts for about two thirds
and intra-Central African and intra-Middle East trade nearly 40 per cent of the
exports of these regions to all less-developed countries.1
7. At first sight it appears that the overall lag in the trade among less-
developed countries was mainly due to the slow development of intra-regional
trade. Between 1956 and 1964 intra-regional trade increased by 20 per cent while
inter-regional trade grew at a somewhat faster rate. However, this more rapid
growth in inter-regional trade is entirely due to petroleumi which increased by
43 per cent. In inter-regional trade, the inerecase in petroleum shipment was
relatively low, but trade in other products rose roughly as fast as trade between
different regions.
8. As regards the commodity composition of this trade it will be seen that,
leaving aside fuels, trade between developing countries within the same region
tended to cover the same product categories as trade between developing countries
in different regions so that in each region mary imports falling under these
categories came from both within and. outside the region. However, some products
were imported in larger volumes from countries in other regions than from those
within the same region and vice versa. For example, for light industry products,
South-East Asia was the main supplier among developing countries to the African
countries. However, a detailed commodity-by-commodity break-up of regional and
inter-regional trade car, be attempted only after more detailed statistics become
available.
1.
The grouping of developing countries under different regions follows United
Nations practice and is adopted purely for statistical convenience. It implies
no judment on the merits of the classification. cOT .TD/D/W/3
Page 4
Food
9. Imports of foodstuffs into the developing countries, as may be seen from
Table 1, have increased considerable in recent years; they have in fact increased
in volume and value at the same rate as in the developed countries and now take
up a larger share of the developing countries' total imports than ten years ago.
.10. Although the major part of imports from developed countries consists of
manufactured goods, food also takes a relatively important share of these imports.
In fact, of the total value of $5,o00 million of foodstuffs imported into less-
developed countries in 1962, about $3,100 million worth was supplied by developed
countries. However, about one third of the shipments from developed countries
consisted of aid consignments, mainly from the United States.
11. Apart from the United States, whose shipments both under Government-assistance
programmes and commercial exports totalled nearly $1,600 million, the other
important commercial suppliers were the European Economic Community countries, which
supplied about $670 million worth of' food, Imports from the United Kingdom and
Australia were both of the order of $200 million, those from Canada about
$120 million, and those from Japan and Denmark $70 and $60 million respectively.
The major importing countries in the group were India. Venezuela Brazil, Hong Kong,
the United Arab Republic, Malaysia., the Philippines, Singapore, Indonesia and
Nigeria.
12. Among the foodstuffs imported by developing countries, wheat and wheat
flour and dairy products were by far the most important. The relatively slow
growth in grain production compared with the population increase in a number of
developing countries resulted in recent years in a strong demand for wheat and
flour imports, which was largely met from supplies in developed countries. As a
result, imports of these products from developed countries increased rapidly
during the 1950's and in 1962 reached $1,000 million and covered nine tenths of
the developing countries. import requirements in these products. This trade was
concentrated on a few countries.1
The United States exported $760 million of wheat and wheat flour in 1962,.
mainly under the provisions of Public Law 480. India received $205 million from
the United States, Brazil $80 million, the united Arab Republic $100 million,
Pakistan $40 million, Tunisia $25 million, Algeria $25 million and Israel
$20 million. Australia exported $90 million worth of wheat and wheat flour, of
which $20 million was to India and $36 million to the other countries in South-
East Asia. Canada's exports amounted to $70 million, Venezuela and the
Philippines taking about $10 million each. France exported $50 million, mainly
to Algeria and the overseas associated countries of the EEC. COM .TD/D/W/3
Page 5
13. Imports of dairy products amounted to some $380 million, of which powdered
milk, a relatively cheap source of protein, represented almost half. The
United States was the main supplier of powdered milk, to a value of $80 million,
of which a large proportion is financed by public and private donations. (The
principal destinations were the Republic of Viet-Nam, the Philippines, Mexico,
Brazil, India, and Venezuela.) The Netherlands exported evaporated and condensed
milik, amounting to $100 million (mainly to Thailand, the Philippines, Venezuela,
Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong). Among the less important exporters of these
products to developing countries were Denmark, France, Australia, the United
Kingdom, Canada and New Zealand. Intra-trade among the developing.countries,
although negligible in absolute terms ($12 million) had significance for the
few countries participating in their exports.
14. Sugar, rice and to a lesser extent oilseeds, fats and oils are products of
which the developing countries are both the main producers and important suppliers
to the world market. At the sane time nearly half of their own imports .of these
products, which exceeded $1,000 million in 1962, came from developed countries.
15. Almost 60 per cent of sugar imports originated in developed countries; .the
most important among them were France, United Kingdom and the United States.
Trade among developing countries amounted to about $100 million.
16. Imports of oilseeds. oils and fats from the developed areas amounted to
$240 million in 1962, and from developing areas to $120 million. By far the most
important exporter was the United States, supplying $160 million, a large pro-
portion of which was exported under Government financed programmes. Among the
principal destinations were Pakistan, the United Arab Republic, Taiwan and Israel.
Exports from France amounted to $20 million, of which three quarters went to
Algeria. Animal fats and oils, mostly tallow, represented about $50 million of
the total, fixed vegetable oils, about three quarters of which was soyabean oil
and cottonseed oil, $100 million, and oilseeds, largely soyabeans, $40 million.
A large number of countries appeared as exporter or importers in the intra-
trade among developing countries in these items. The principal importers were
India, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Colombia.
17. Supplies of rice to developing countries have not kept pace with the demand.
In a number of countries in South-East Asia and elsewhere imported wheat has
replaced rice. Rice supplies from developed countries covered about one quarter
of total imports. The leading supplier was the United States ($115 million),
mainly under Government financed programmes, the principal importing countries
being India and Indonesia. Among the exporters in intra-trade of the developing
countries, which accounts for about 75 per cent of total imports of the developing
countries, the most prominent ones were Thailand ($137 million), Burma
($128 million) and Pakistan ($24 million). COM.TD/D/W/3 Page 6
18. Import of other food and feeding stuffs into developing countries amounted to
a little less than $2,000 million. Supplies from developed countries represented
more than one half of this figure and trade among developing countries slightly
more than one third. The share of developed countries in total imports of the
developing countries Varied widely from one commodity group to another, being more
than four fifths for beverages and tobacco, slightly less than two thirds for meat
and fïsh, more than á half for fruit and vegetables and about one eighth for
tropical beverages.
19. Tobacco imports from the developed countries amounted to
$180 million, of which unmanufactured tobacco accounted for one third. The
United .States was the main exporter, some sales being made under special
programmes. Unmanufactured tobacco was exported mainly to the United Arab
Republic, Mexico, Thailand, Hong Kong, and Malaysia. Tobacco manufactures were
exported by the United States, notably to the Latin American Republics, and by the
United Kingdom, notably to the Middle East countries. Tobacco imports from
developing countries amounted to $47 million. India and Hong Kong were among the
major suppliers.
20. The developing countries imported in 1962 $170 million worth of beverages.
Of these about $150 million was from developed countries. One third of this
consisted of distilled alcoholic beverages exported by the United Kingdom to a
large number of developing; countries, and another third of French distilled
alcoholic beverages, wines and beer mainly to Algeria, the Ivory Coast, Madagascar,
Malaysia and Hong Kong.
21. Total imports of meat and live animals into developing countries in 1962
amounted to nearly $300 million of which developed areas accounted for $185 million
and developing areas $102 million. About one third of imports from developed
countries consisted of prepared and canned meats. The main components were French
export to Nigeria ($30 million) and elsewhere ($15 million), United States exports
" ($30 million) to Mexico, other Latin American Republies and the West Indies, and
exports from Australia, Denmark., New Zealand and Canade (between $10 and 20 million
in each case). Exports from developing countries amounted to over $100 million
and were mainly live animals;
22. As regards fish and fish preparations, imports from developed countries were
of the order of $100 million, of which about one third were canned products. The
important suppliers were Japan and Norway (about $26 million each) and Canada
($12 million), followed by France, the United Kingdom, Belgium and Denmark. The
main importers were Nigeria (mainly of dried fish from the Scandinavian countries),
:Brazil and Central America Republics. Intra--trade among developing countries
represented principally the changes between South-East Asian countries and
between certain West African countries. COM.TD/D/W/3
Page 7
23. Except in the case of cocoa products, the overwhelming proportion of the
developing countries' imports of the tropical beverages, coffee, cocoa anad tea
came from other developing countries. Of. imports from developed countries only
coffee essence worth $8 million, cocoa butter and powder ($6 million) and choco-
late and other cocoa products ($14 million) and tea ($7 million, mostly from
Japan) were of significance.
24. In the developing areas taken as a whole per capita food supplies increased
between 1953-1955 arnd 1962-1964 only half as fast as in the developed countries.
This is reflected in the fact that over the same period exports of food from
developed countries rose by 82 per cent, while those from less-developed
countries increased by only 32 per cent. The difference in the level of food
consumption between developed and developing countries also widened further
during the last decade. As is well-known the income elasticity of demand for
food is normally higher in low income countries, and it stands to reason that
in the foreseeable future demand in the less-developed countries should be
increasing at a faster rate than in the developed countries.
Production and Trade in Food
1
Percentage Increase 1 between 1953-55 and 1962-64 -
Production Imp rtJExport Stocks Supplies Populat ie oanrCput
_______ _______ __________Supplies-
lstern Europe| 24 46 57 . 27 - 8 17
North Ameica 19 41 124 76 15 17 -1
Oceania 38 41 48 30 22 7
TOTAL 22 45 82 .. 21 12 9
Latin America 28 35 32 28 27 1
Far East2 . 27 66 28 .. 30 22 7
Near East 32 155 34 .. 40 25 12
Africa 22 57 36 .. 21 26 -4
TOTAL 27 168 32 29 23 5
1Mnius sigri
(-) denotes decrease.
2
Excluding màinland China.
Source: FAO, The State of Food and Agriculture 1965. Review of the 2nQ Postwar
Dec.de. COM.TD/D/W/3:
Page 8
25. The increase in exports of food to developing countries during the last
decade corresponded roughly to the amount of United States supplies on
concessional terms which since 1955/56 have averaged over one billion dollars
and which in 1964/65 amounted to $1.4 billion. This is a reflection both of the
availability of surpIuses in certain developed countries which could not be
marketed through commercial channels and of growing needs for food in certain
developing countries which could not be met on normal commercial terms.
26. More recently the pattern of agricultural production in the United States
and certain other developed countries appeared to be undergoing adjustments
Involving a marked decline in surpluses available for disposal on special terms.
This is occurring at a time when demand for food in the developing countries.,
as a result of the rise in per capita income and standards of living as well
as the further increase in population, is on the increase.
27. In most developing countries, growth in agricultural production has been
lagging behind that in the other sections of the economy, as may be seen from
the following table:
Annual Growth of Manufacturing, Mining and Agricultural Production
in the Developing Countries
(Per cent increase)
Manufacturing Mining Agricultural
Food Total
1956 6.8 7.3 1.0 2.0
1957 7.5 6.8 5.9 4.9
1958 6.4 6.4 .0.0 0.9
1959 7.0 8.0 5.6 4.6
1960 8.4 20.4 1.8 3.5
1961 8.6 12.3 2.6 . . 1.7
1962 4.8 10.3 0.8 0.8
1963 6.8 6.8 0.8 2.0
1964 7.1 7.6 0.8 (3.0)a
(a) Estimate
Sources: United Nations, Food and Agricultural Organization, and
United States Department of Agriculture
From International Bank for Reconstruction and Development
Annual Report 1964/65. COM.TD/D/W/3
Page 9
28. These figures suggest that, at least for the basic foodstuffs, in the
face of rising demand, the limiting factor in intra-trade among developing
countries will be the availability of exportable production. Until now the trade
in food among developing countries (sec Table 4) has kept pace with total intra-
trade, trade-between Soutg East Asian. countries .showing significant gains between
1956 and 1963. Trade among developing countries in food Items could increase
rapidly as the greater attention which governments and international agencies
are giving to the allocation and utilization of resources in this sector begins
to reflect itself more and more in increases in agricultural productivity.
The extent to which national plans can take into account regional needs and
availabilities would, ofa course, significantly affect trade.
Fuels.
29. In 1962 developing countries as a group imported $24100 million worth of
mineral fuels and other petroleum products, including coal, petroleum, petroleum
products, and a small proportion of other products. About 22 per cent of these
imports came from developed countries, about 7 per cent from the Eastern trading
area and slightly over 70 per cent from intra-trade sources.
30. Imports from developed countries amounted to $470 million. This included
a small quantity ofa coal ($40 million), and larger volumes of refined petroleum
($220 million) and lubricating oils ($180 million). France was the main
supplier of refined petroleum; Its eports amounted to $90 million, mainly to
Algeria ($40 million) and. Tunisia ($12 million). The United States ($30 million)
and Italy ($25 million) were among the other major exporting countries.
31. Exports of lubricating oils and greases from developed to developing
countries amounted to $180 million in 1962, of which the United States supplied
$114 million, the United Kîngdom $32 million and France and the Netherlands
$12 million each. Imports were shared by a vast number ai developing countries.
Intra-trade among developing countries in these product of amounted to
$1,500 million and about 72 per cent of these consisted of petroleum products,
mainly refined petroleum, there being virtually no intra-trade in lubricating
oils or other special petroleum products. Imports of both crude petroleum,
($393 million) and petroleum products ($1,088 million) were distributed among
a large number of developing countries.
Raw materials
32. Total imports of raw materials into developing countries may be estimated
at about $1,500 million. Raw materials are a relatively less important group
in the imports of the developing countries. This is a reflection both of the COM. TD/D/W/3
Page 10
low level of industrial demand and of the fact that industry is oriented largely
towards the processing of domestic raw materials. Out of this total of
$1,500 million, trade in raw materials among developing countries was valued at
$550 million, supplies from developed countries were valued at $750 million, and
those from the Eastern trading area at $180 million. By far the largest supplies
came from the United States, part of which under government financed programmes ,
the EEC, mainly France, and the United Kingdom.
35. Among the raw materials, textile fibres were the most important, total
imports amounting to $560 million. This relatively high value reflects the
important position held by the, textile industries in many developing countries.
Supplies from developed countries amounted to $350 million, of which nearly a
half was accounted for by the United States sales of cotton on concessional
terms. The main importers of United States cotton were India ($87 million),
Korea ($34 million), Taiwan ($530 million) and the Philippines ($21 million).
The main exporters among developing countries were UAR, Mexico, Brazil, Sudan,
Peru, Syria, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Pakistan, India, Uganda and Tanzania.
Synthetic and artificial fibres imports amounted to $54 million and wool imports
to $85 million. These were shared by a large number of developing countries,
the main suppliers being Japan, the German Federal Republic, the United States,
the United Kingdom and France. More than one third of wool supplied by
developed countries. was imported in processed form, principally tops, from the
United Kingdom and Japan, while Australia exported mainly raw wool. The main
importers were India ($20 million,) Mexico ($11 million), the UAR ($9 million),
and Hong Kong ($8 million). Among the developing countries, principal exporters
of wool were Argentine., India and Palkistan.
34. $170 million worth of the total imports by developing countries of wood and
wood pulp came from the developed countries and $110 million worth from the
developing countries. While intra-trade consisted mainly of sawn wood and-
roundwood, nearly a hall of the imported from developed countries was in the form
oa chemical woodpulp. The main suppliers were the United States, Canade and
the Scandinavian countries. Among the importing countries India, Argentina,
Mexico, Brazil and Venezuela were the most important.
35. Rubber imports into less-developed countries (excluding entrepôt trade of
Singapore) may be estimated at about $150 million in 1962. Out of this total
about $90 million worth of natural rubber came from other developing countries
and about $60 million of synthetic rubber from developed countries, mainly the
United States and Canada. Mexico, Brazil, India, Argentina, Colombia. and
Venezuela were the main importers of synthetic rubber. COM .TD/D/W/3
Page 11
36. Minerals (other than fuels) were much less important in the imports of
developing countries than agricultural raw materials. Their imports from developed
countries and less-developed countries amounted to about $100 million in each case.
Supplies from developed countries counsisted mainly of crude sulphur, and asbestos.
37. Among the products in this category of imports of developing countries by
far the most important is raw cotton. The following figures may, therefore be of
interest.
Production, Consumption, exports and Imports of Cotton in
Industrialized and Less-Developed Countries,
1956-60 and, 1961 to 1964
(Thousand Metric Tons)
1956-60 1961 1962 1963 1964
Average Estimated
Industrialized countries
1. Production: 2,927 3,353 3,453 3,528 3,486
2. Consumption 4,208 4,416 4,170 4,328 4,500
3. Exports 1,386 1,170 815 1,328 1,010
4. Imports 2,353 2,254 2,260 2,415 2,340
(l + 4) -(2 + 3) = - 314 121 728 287 316
Less-developed countries
1. Production 3,616 4,008 4,530 4,581 4,782
2. Consumption 2,321 2,646 2,715 2,819 2,850
3. Exports 1,640 1,864 2,312 2,218 2,260
4. Imports 384 484 520 551 560
(1 + 4)- (2 + 3) = 39 -18 23 95 232
Source: FAO - The Situation of Basic Products,
1965. COM .TD/D/W/3
Page 12.
38. Generally, production in both developed and developing countries has tended
to outpace world demand. How exports of developing countries to both developed
countries and other developing countries behave in the future will depend on a
number of factors including the rate at which textile production expands in the
developing countries, the possible effect of recent changes in United States
cotton legislation and the competition from synthetic fibres.
39. Generally, the demand for raw materials in developing countries would increase
pari passu with industrialization with consequential results for processing of
indigenous supplies and sales between these countries. This does not prevent
other factors from affecting the pattern of mports, at least. over the short term.
The major uncertainties for inter-developing countries trade would, however,
appear to arise from the competition from substitutes and the fact that productivity
increase for some products in developed, countries tend to outstrip production-gains
in the developirng countries.
Manufactures
40. As Table 2 shows manufactures have consistently accounted for two thirds of
world exports to the developing countries. In 1962 they amounted to $18,500 million
In the intra-trade among developing countries, manufactures now represent a some-
what larger share than ten years ago, amounting in 1962 to $900 million.
41. The greater part of the total, about $13,500 million, was accounted for by
products of heavy industries. Among these, machinery and transport equipment
amounted to $8,300 million, chemicals $2,300 million and base metals nearly
$1,900 million. The bulk of these supplies came from developed countries and
the Eastern trading area. Trade among less-developed countries under these
categories amounted to less than $500 million, or slightly more than 2 per cent
of the total.
42. Total imports of light industry products represented nearly $5,500 million,.
of which textiles and clothing accounted for more than one third. Nearly
90 per cent of imports were supplied by developed countries and the Eastern
trading area. Imports from less-developed countries amounted to $600 million,
of which textiles and clothing represented two thirds.
43. Textile imports from developed countries amounted to $1,360 million. Cotton
yarns and fabrics amounted to $60 million and $450 million, respectively, man-made
fibre yarn and fabrics to $160 million and $250. million, respectively. Imports of
wool yarn and fabrics represented $110 million, imports of made-up textile articles
$90 million, and of special textile products $80 million. Japan was the main COM.TD/D/W/3
Page 13
supplier of textiles in general: exports of cotton yarns were $17 million, mainly
to Indonesia, while exports of cotton fabrics reached $210 million, of artificial
and synthetic textiles amounted to $180 million, mainly to South-East Asia. Among
the other exporting countries, the most important were the United States (about
$160 million), France ($140 million) and the United Kingdom ($120 million). Trade
among developing countries in textiles amounted to $330 million, two thirds of
which represented exports from India, Hong Kong and Pakistan. Imports were shared
by a large number of countries.
44. In 1962 about four fifths or $25c million worth of all clothing imports was
from developed areas. France was an important supplier, accounting for $75 million,
of which $34 million went to Algeria, while exports from Japan amounted to
$65 million, the main destinations being Nigeria, the Ryukyu Islands, and Ghana.
.The United States exported amounted to $50 million, while the United Kingdom and
Italy accounted for about $20 million each.
45. Rubber manufactures were almost entirely supplied by developed countries,
imports amounting to $280 million, of which $180 million represented rubber tyres
and tubes and the remainder other articles of rubber. While the United States was
the principal exporter ($70 million), the United Kingdom ($60 million), France
($50 million) and Japan ($40 million) were also important. These exports were
widely distributed, Iran and Taiwan being the largest importers ($12 million each).
Trade among the developing countries which was of the order of $9 million
originated mainly in Malaysia, India and Hong Kong.
46. Of the other light industry products, imports of footwear accounted for about
$80 million, of which France exported $30 million ($15 million to Algeria), Japan
$16 million and the United Kingdom $13 million. Imports of wood manufactures from
developed countries represented $65 million and of furniture about $60 million,
while toys and sports goods amounted to $50 million, as did office supplies and
stationery.
47. Imports of paper and articles made of paper reached $450 million. Out of the
total of about $300 million of paper and paperboard imported from developed countries,
the United States exported $75 million, Finland $45 million, Sweden $40 million,
Canada $30 million and Japan $30 million, while Norway, the United Kingdom and
France exported $20 million each. The main destinations were Argentina, Brazil,
India, Venezuela, Mexico, Colombia and Hong Kong, each importing between
$15 and $30 million. Imports of paper and paperboard from other developing
countries amounted to $17 million.
48. The only non-ferrous metals which are imported -to any extent from developed
areas are copper and aluminium. Imports of copper amounted to $130 million,
compared with $45 million imported from non-industrial countries. The United States
was the major supplier, exporting $55 million mostly to India ($40 million). The
United Kingdom exported $20 million, and the Federal Republic of Germany and Japan
about $10 million each. Aluminium imports were of the order of $120 million, of COM.TD/D/W/3
Page 14
which the United States and Canada both supplied $30 million; India was the most
important destination, importing $10 million from the United States. Of the other
suppliers, the United Kingdom exported $18 million, France $9 million, and the
Federal Republic of Germany and Japan both $6 million.
49. Of all iron and steel imports of $1,360 million, pig-iron, ingots and other
primary forms accounted for about $60 million, of which the United States exported
one third and the Federal Republic of Germany one sixth. Pakistan, Argentina,
and India were the main destinations. Imports of metal manufactures were of the
order of $850 million, as against $50 million from less-developed countries,and
:non-metal manufactures accounted for $350 million, compared with $50 million worth
of trade between less-developed countries.
50. One feature of the trade in manufactures between developing countries might
be noted. This is the relatively larger expansion in the trade in base metals
and chemicals as compared to the increase in products of the light industries.
Exports of base metals from developing to other developing countries increased by
nearly 90 per cent between 1956 and 1964 and those of chemicals by 100 per cent.
Exports of textile products, such as cotton and jute fabrics, bags and sacks,
and carpets, increased by just 5 per cent and those of other light industry
products by only 19 per cent. The slow growth of trade between developing countries
in light industry products was in particular contrast to the relatively more
substantial expansion in exports of the same type of products from developing
countries to developed countries.
General observations
51. The above is an account, in the barest outline, of the composition and
direction of the developing countries' imports. Available data have not been
sufficient to enable a further breakdown of the figures, particularly
for trade among developing countries. Nor has a detailed analysis been
attempted of the recent growth in exports of developing countries to the developing
and developed countries. Projection of future trends would involve not only an
analysis of both import and export data but also factors bearing on the behaviour
of the economy, as well as assumptions concerning policies and institutional
arrangements. Secondly, a product-by-product study of the direction and growth
of trade may reveal special factors affecting trade in individual items as
distinct from factors of a more general relevance. Among the general factors
might be mentioned the inadequacy, of infrastructure in the form of banking, COM.TD/D/W/5
Page 15
transport and marketing networks, which may affect all trade of developing countries
although in different degrees with respect to different products. Among the more
specific factors, the trade figures for particular products suggest that the
traditional ties established in the past with metropolitan countries may be of
considerable influence both by virtue of the special tariff and currency arrange-
ments and investment and marketing links.
52. First, about products in the food category.. .As.has been noted in previous
paragraphs, population increases in the developing countries, accompanied by a
growth in income, is likely to lead to a substantial expansion of demand for basic
food. Although production in the developing countries will undoubtedly increase a
substantial margin for imports into the developing countries from developing
countries and, particularly in the case of temperate zone products, from the
economically more advanced countries, will remain. With the decline in surpluses
in the developed countries, the greater part of that margin will have to be covered
by imports from developing countries. The development and adoption of appropriate
trade and payments arrangements to facilitate this trade will assume considerable
importance.
53. As regards other foodstuffs, including "tropical products", present production
patterns in developing. countries suggests that imports are subject to restriction
for reasons of protection only in some markets. Difficulties relating to payments
and various historical and institutional factors play an even more important rôle
in limiting the trade in these products among developing countries.
54. As industrialization proceeds in developing countries they will be processing
more and more of their domestic raw materials and also increasing their demand for
imports. To what extent this growth in demand will be reflected in increased pur-
chases from other developing countries will depend on a number of factors, In many
developing countries the high level of tariffs and import restrictions affecting
various raw materials appear to be a reflection of fiscal needs and balance-of-
payments difficulties rather than of any deliberate policies of protection. These
payments considerations would seem to reinforce normal cost factors in influencing
import patterns which, of course, also continue to be affected by other factors of
a historical and institutional nature.
55. Although the growth of intra-trade in manufactures among developing countries
has outpaced that in the other sectors and that of the intra-trade as a whole
(see Table 3), it lags far behind the corresponding growth in the developed
countries and in the Eastern Trading Area. Some of the reasons for the low level
and low growth rate of this trade are obvious. COM.TD/D/W/3
Page 16
56. The contrasting trends of export expansion into the developed and into the
developing countries, however, aIso seem to reflect the fact that many developing
countries have engaged in the production for export and for import substitution
of similar lines of manufacture, so that there is little room, at least under
present production plans, for an expansion of mutual trade, particularly in light
manufactures. This point is reinforced by the following table:
Evolution of Manufacturing Production in
Less-Developed Countries between 1956 and 1964
(Index Numbers 1956=100)
Light Heavy
Industries Industries Total
1956 100 100 100
1961 130 161 142
1962 135 174 151
1.963 143 187 161
1964 152 207 174
A comparison of these figures with the rates of growth of the developing
countries' exports of manufactured goods (see Table 1) suggests that the new
industries have been established mainly to supply the domestic market and to
replace imports.
57. There seems no doubt that differences in resource endowments and industrial
structures in developing countries make for a greater complementarity of import
needs than is reflected by the present trade flows. The reduction or removal
of tariffs and quota restrictions affecting trade among developing countries
could help bring about a larger volume of complementary trade in many primary
and processed products, and also make for a more efficient use of resources.
There is, however, a large area where liberalization of trade can be effective
only to the extent to which production plans in different countries are co-
ordinated so as to reduce parallel development and become more mutually
complementary. Prima face, such co-ordination may be easier to arrange on
a regional basis than otherwise. The present pattern of inter-regional Trade
among developing countries, however., implies a certain allocation of resources
and certain complementarities of production which should not be overlooked. COM. TD/D/W/3
Page 17
58. The contribution which greater external liquidity could make to the process
of trade expansion arid trade liberalization among developing -countries has been
suggested by the difficulties affecting indvidual sectors of. trade. In this
context a study of the devices adopted in bilateral trade and developing
countries is particularly revealing. At present, over 300 bilateral trade
agreements are in force between developing countries and among them over one
third contain clauses providing for special payments arrangements (clearing,
swing.credit, etc).¹- To.what extent broader multilateral payments arrange-
ments will contribute to enlarging the possibilities of intra-developing
country trade is a question which might warrant careful study.
¹Of 304 agreements between developing countries, 154 are between countries
belonging to the same geographic region and 150 are "inter-continental".
Fifty-four of the former category-and fifty-two of the latter category have
special payment clauses. COM/D/D/W/3
Page 138
Table1i
COMPOSITION FP EXPORTS FROM LESS-DV1ELOPED COUNTRIES TO
DEVL1OPED AND LESS-DEVELOPED AREA¹ (IN BLLIIO NUS.. DLOLARS)
1956, 1958, 1960 TO 1964
I ?RIMARY I RAhND
F.B.T. .RM. AEUFACNU RES
MFUlI R1ODUCTS TOTAL,
Total 1956 7.85 6.64 6.26 20.75 3.22 24.14
TO LDCs 1.42 .99 2.33 4.74 1.04 5.84
Total 1958 7.97 5.60 7.13 20.70 2.72 23.58
To LDCs 1.48 .84 2.31, 4.3i .95 5.68
Total 1960 7.69 6.85 7.42 21.96 .-71 25.79
To LDCs 1.46 1.10 2.26 4.82 1.14 6.02
octal 1961 7.33 6.59 7.86 21.78 3.85 25.82
ToLlDCs 1.45 .97 2.33 4.75 1.25 60o8
Total 1962 [ 7.71 6.59 8.58 22.88 4.09 27.10
ToLDCs f 1.49 1.02 2.47 4.98 1.31 16.0o
Total 1963 ' 8.69 6.71 . 24.71 4.65 29.54
ToLCO ? 1.67 ~ 9.31 6.62
To LDCs 1.67 .99 2.44 5.1 1..43 6.62
! . . ~ . ,
Total 1964 9.29 7.17 10.58 26.84 5.05 32.04
To LDCs 1.83 1.06 2.63 5.52 1.49 7.06
trde a. ..reor di.e fro th. i. Tal 3..
1Excluding trade
with the Eastern trading erea. Figures include re-export
for countries reporting gcnéral trade, and therefore differ from those in Table 3
which have been adjusted to exclude re-exports.
Source: United Nations conthly Bulletin of Statisties
Food, beverages and tobacco (SITC 0+1)
Raw materials (SITC 2+4)
(SITC 3 )
F.B.T.
R.M.
FUELS Table 2
COMPOSITION OF WORLD EXPORTS TO LESS-DEVELOPED COUNTRIES, 1956, 1958 AND 1930 TO 1964
(million dollars f.o.b. and percentages)
Exporting areas Year Beverages % Raw Total a
Tobacco Materials % Fuels % Primary Manufactures % Total
Products _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
.1956 2320 6 12.8 740 4.12 580 3.1 3620 ?0.0 14010 77.4 18100 100
1958 2580 013.1 7G0 70 3.6 59Q 3.0 38îW 19.7 15400 78.5 19630 100
1936 296G 14.0 95. 4.5 55C 2.6 446C 21.1 1636G. 77.2 21190 100
Oeveîoped Areas 1961 2950 13;7 - 960 - 4.4- . 54O 2.5 * 4450: 20.6: 267100 7.7.4 2lrc . lQO
1962 2890 13.~, 98C 4.6 460 2.2 433G 20.4 16400 77e4 - 11Q 0
1963 3130 14.1 1050 4.7 450 2.0 463C 20.8 17120C 76.9 222tO lÇi
1964 3490 14.2 124G 5.0 410 1.7 5146 20.9 18910 76.7 224-S; 1 O
1956 142C . 24.3 990gr 17.C 2330 39.9 4740 81.2 1050 18.0 5840: 1
. 1958 1480 26.1 840 14.8 2310 4G.6 4630 81.5 950C 16.7 5680- 1 O
1960 1460 24.3 I100 18.3 2260 37.6 4820 80.2 1140 19.0 6010: - 1
Less-developed Areas 1961 145C 23.9 970 16.0 2320 38.2 474G 78.1 1260 20.8 8070:- 190
1962 1490 23.5 1020 16.1 2470 38.9 4980 78.5 1280. 20.2 6340. f0
..1963 167C 25.3 990 15.0 2440 36.9 5100 77.2 1430 21.6 661ûO- 1lG
1964 1830 25.9 t!60 15.0 2631 37.3 5520 78.2 1490 21.1 7C6Q. 1C
.1956 180 22;5 -90 -11.2 50 6.3 320 40.0- 480 60.0 800 IOC
1956 270 23.9 100 8.9 100 8.8 470 41.6 650- 57.5 i130: 100
1960 240 19.4 100- 8.1 90 7.2 430 34.7 800. 64.5 1240 1 O
Eastern Trading Area 1961 240 13.6 150. 8.5 :140 8.0 530 30.1 1220: 69.3 1760O 1 0
1962 340 16.2 170 8.1 150 7.1 660 31.4 144C 68.6 2100- 1 I
1963 460 18.8 16C 6.5 li7 . 6.9 790 32.2 1660- 67.8 245e 1 :
. ~~1964. -., .. .... 4., .. .. .. * . 2630' 1oi
1956 3920 15.8 1820 7.4 2940 11.9 8680 35.1 15540 62.8 24740 100
1958 4330 16.4 164C 6.2 3000 11.3 897? 33.9 17000. 64.3 26440. 100
1960 4660 16.4 215G 7.6 2900 1iC.2 971G 34.2 183001 64.3 28440 100
eorld Exports 1961 4640 15.7 2080 1, 3000 10.2 972C 33.0- 9190: 65.2' 29430 100
1962 4720 15.9 2170'. 7,3 3080 10.4 997- 0 .33.6 19120 64.5 29620 100
1963 526C 16.8 22C0 7.0 30L 9.8 10520 -33.6 .202'0. 64.5 31320 100
1964 .. .. .. .,; . .. ,. . .. .. 34340 100
-...... ..
Including commodities not classified according to kind.
Source: United Nation 1965nthlï Bulletin of Statistics, March and November
ço.
inz
Note: As regards trade among less-developed countries, data in this table
5. -. include re-exports for countries reporting general trade. This
re-export trade is particularly importantin South-East Asia.
Furthermore, figures relating to fuels Include shipments of crude
petroleum for processing and further export. Table 3
~~.. ... ..
PAÏOERN OF IMPGRTS CFOLESS-OENELdPED CtUATRIES IN 1962
(ithousand` mllion dollars f.o.b.)
Or1g1n , d Developei
Areas
Comsodity clasz
Fo.gJIcludin oilseeds, ifa)s andols . .
of whichincl. f at (md. lour) and dairy products
rice, sugar, oilseeds. fats and oils
Raw matorialss....;........
of which: cotton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
synth. rubber and man-made fibres
Fuels . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
of which: lubric.ating n.es. . . . . . . . . .
other petroleum products .... . . .
Total primary products . . . . . . . .
Li.ht pndustrs qroductj. . . ......
of which: textiles and clothing .
Non-ferrous metals . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other manufactures . . . . . .
of which: chemicals . . .
iron and steel . .
machInery and transport equipment .
Total manufactures .........
Total a . ...
3.1
0.5
0.75
(.1. 5
0.10
c.45
0.4
4.3`
4.2
1.6
0.3
il.9
2.1
1.3.i
7.6
16.4
Iess-.
developed
Areas
1.5
.55
0.55
L. 1 5
1.5
1.1.
3.55
i66
10.4;
0.2
n
0.1.
4 4.4 1
21,2
Eastern
Trading
&ea
0.4.
.1.
0.15
.7
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.6
1.4
2.1
- _1
Tôtal,
5 0
1.
2.1
8.6
2.1.
0..
13.0
*2.3
, 1.5
8.3
18.7
27.7
*a
Including miscellaneous commodities and transactions not classioied accGrking to !(nd.
Note: As regards tradeeamong lIss-developed co ntries,.an attempt has been made in this table to
eeceude rc-oxport trade within the South-East Asian region. Similar adjustments for the other
less-developed areas have not been attempted. It is, howeier, belleved that this type of commerce
is relatively less important in the latter regiois than In South-East Asia. Shipment of crude
petroleum for processing and further export among less-developed countries in Latin Amhrica, tie
Middle East and South-East Asia have also been excluded,
COM.TL/D/W/3
Paget 20
. . . . . . .
. . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . 0
a
1 Table 4
COMPOSITION 0F INTRAREGIONAL TRADE OF LESS-DEVELOPED COUNTRIES, 1956 AND 1961 TO 1963
(million dollars f.o.b.)
Destination Less-developed Areas
Exporting Areas 1956 1961 1962
Total² 5840 6070 6340
FBT 1420, 1450 1490
990 970 1020
Less-developed Areas Fuels 2330 2320 2470
Total PP 4740 4740 4980
Manufactures 1045 1255 1275
of which:
Latin America
1963 1956 1961 1962 1963
6610 1070 040 1050 1100
1670 270 225 265 305
999 170 160 175 185
2440 510 380 390 350
5100 950 765 830 840
1430 120 158 202 245
South-East Asia
1956 1961 1962 1963
2570 2620 2710 2930
650 700 680 800
690 620 650 620
580 570 650 690
1920 1890 1980 2110
613 699 690 775
Middle East
Central Africa
1956 1961 1962 1963 1956 1961 1962 1963
790 880 900 950
275 270 275 315
77 84 100 110
283 310 325 330
632 664 700 755
149 200 178 191
410 510 540 500
110
31
155
296
110
130
35
370
131
145
38
205
388
145
120
44
180
344
156
of which: Totala 1520 1490 1570 1680 670 580 660 750 34 64 48 45 31 29 30 45 30 24 25 23
FBT 340 300 310 380 260 205 230 270 21 33 14 18 23 26 24 42 7 3 5 3
RM 130 135 145 160 115 95 105 130 8 15 1818 6 2 3 3 - - - -
Latin Anierica
Fuels 970 940 970 960 215 190 200 185 4 4 5 2 23 20
Total PP 1440 1375 1425 1500 590 490 535 583 33 52 37 38 30 29 28 45 30 24 25 23
manufactures 79 97 129 165 75 78 116 155 1 12 11 7 - - -- - -
Total a 2600 2620 2730 2910 102 122 140 127 2134 2070 2130 2320 203 244 266 266 110 141 144 147
FBT 735 795 825 920 6 6 21 11 594 625 530 750 112 116 136 125 17 31 32 32
RM 635 585 610 580 51 54 53 46 560 495 520 485 16 20 27 34 5 9 7 9
South-East Asia Fuels 390 285 325 345 1 1 3 3 356 280 305 330 2 1I 2 2 3 - 6 4
Total PP 1760 1665 1750 1845 58 61 77 60 1510 1400 1455 1565 130 137 165 161 25 4045 45
Manufactures 798 908 930 1021 44 56 61 64 586 631 637 721 70 100 97 101 84 96 96 99
Total a 990 1190 1310 1320 63 71 97 82 290 365 430 450 530 570 560 590 91 135 145 120
FBT 150 140 130 150 4 3 18 14 130 110 105 130 2 2 2 2
Middle East RM 115 105 130 115 2 3 4 58 50 63 59 50 49 56 50 4 3 4 2
Fuels 630 800 930 910 61 54 84 76 211 275 325 340 270 300 315 320 84 120 130 105
Total PP 895 1045 1190 1175 63 61 91 83 280 344 406 413 450 459 476 500 90 125 136 109
Manufactures 92 133 109 127 - 9 5 4 820 22 30 80 96 75 84 1 8 7 7
Total a 255 325 330 315 16 12 7 90 110 82 90 16 25 31 43 98 130 150 145
FBT 120 140 150 125 2 3 1 - 22 22 15 26 13 1011 17 51 74 89 61
RM 90 105 100 110 1 5 6 3 54 54 47 50 3 11 13 21 19 20 23 31
Central Africa Fuels 3 6 3 9 - 2 6 3 8
Total PP 213 251 253 244 3 8 7 3 77 76 62 76 16 21 24 38 72 100 115 100
Manufactures 41 73 66 64 - 8 5 3 12 31 11l 13 - 4 5 4 23 24 3140
²IncIuding commodities not classified according to kind.
Sources:United Nations, Monthly Bulletin of Statistics, March 1962 and March 1965.
Note: Data ln this table include re-exports for countries reporting general
trade. This re-export trade is particularly Important In South-East
Asia. Furthermore figures relating to fuels include shipments of
crude petroleum for processing and further export.
FBT = Food, beverages and tobacco (SITC 0 + 1)
RM = Raw materials Including oil-seeds., fats and oils (SITC 2 + 4)
Fuels SITC 3
Total Primary Products: SITC 0 to 4
Manufactures = SITC 5 to 8
OO
0 O
0 .
1;3
tM
1 i
i i t
-f -R è-- -
1
t
1 COM.TD/D/W/3
Page 22/23
TABLE 5
Compsition of Exports of Less-Developed Countries¹
(in Billion US Dollars and Percentage)
1956, 1958, 1960/1964
PRIMARY
F.B.T. R. M. FVELS PRODUCTS
MANUFACTURERS
6.64 6.26
27.5 26.0
5.60 7.13
23.8 30.3
6.85 7.42
26.6 28.7
6.59
25.5
6.59
24.3
7.86
32.2
8.58
31.7
6.71 9. 1
22.7 31.5
7.17 10.38
22.4 32.4
¹To all countries excluded USSR, Eastern Europe, China
Mongolia, North Korea and North Viet-Nam.
(Mainland),
Source: United Nations Monthly Bulletin of Statistics, November 1965.
F.B.T. : Food., beverages and tobacco (SITC 0+1)
R.M. : Raw materials (SITC 2+4)
FUELS : SITC 3
GRAND
TOTAL
1956
1958
1960
%
1961
%
1962
1963
1964
%
7.85
32.6
7.97
33.8
7.69
29.7
7.33
28.4
7.71
28.5
8.69
29.4
9.29
29.0
20.75
86.0
20.70
87.9
a
21.96
85. C
21.78
84.1
22.88
84.5
24.71
83.7
26.84
83.8
3.22
13.7
2.72
11.5
3.71
14.4
3.85
14.9
4.0.9
15.1
4.65
15.7
5.05
15.6
24.14
23.58
25.79
25.82
27.10
29 54
32.04 COM. TD/D/W/3
Page 24
TABLE 6
Index Numbers of Industrial Production Excluding USSR and
Eastern Europe, for Developed and Less-Developed Countries (1958=100)
Mining Manufacturing Electricity
TOTAL Crude oil and
Total and gas Total Light Manuf.Heavy Manuf. Gas
DC LDC DC LDC DC LDC. DC LDC DC LDC DC LDC DC LDC
Per Cent
weight
in 1958 89.6 10.4 74.8 25.2 63.8 36.2 91.1 8.9 87.0 13.0 93.8 6.2 91.4 8.6
37 31 42 17 56 47
1938 43 42 40 42 17 32 40 47 33 29 23 20
1948 63 51 77 45 70 37 62 54 57 44 36
1953 87 67 92 69 91 62 88 67 87 73 88 59 69 58
1956 101 88 104 88 106 85 101 88 98 91 103 84 90 82
1957 103 94 106 94 107 90 104 94 100 95 106 92 95 90
1959 110 107 103 108 106 110 111 107 108 104 113 111 109 109
1960 118 11l9 105 131 107 i 1 8 119'116 113 '111 122 123 .119 120
1961 121 130 107 146 110 160 122 125 116 118 126 135 127 132
1962 130 140 114 182 131 133 122 125 136 146 136 143
1963 136 149 112 172 117 198 138 141 127 130 145 157 146 158
1964 146 161 116 186 121 216 148 157 133 157 159 174
Source: UN Monthly Bulletin of Statistics, August 1965. |
GATT Library | bb042yn2492 | 1995 Consultation with Bangladesh (Simplified Procedures) : Background Paper by the Secretariat | General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, February 21, 1995 | General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (Organization) and Committee on Balance-of-Payments Restrictions | 21/02/1995 | official documents | BOP/W/160 and 0342-0367 | https://exhibits.stanford.edu/gatt/catalog/bb042yn2492 | bb042yn2492_90080791.xml | GATT_1 | 3,406 | 25,177 | RESTRICTED
GENERAL AGREEMENT BOP/W/160
21 February 1995
ON TARIFFS AND TRADE Limited Distribution
(95-0357)
Committee on Balance-of-Payments Restrictions
1995 CONSULTATION WITH BANGLADESH
(SIMPLIFIED PROCEDURES)
Background Paper by the Secretariat
1. This paper has been prepared in accordance with paragraph 7 of the Declaration on Trade
Measures taken for Balance-of-Payments purposes (BISD 26S/205) to assist the Committee in taking
the decision referred to in paragraph 8 of that Declaration. It updates the paper prepared for the 1992
consultation (BOP/W/ 134).
I. Previous consultations with Bangladesh
2. Bangladesh has held ten simplified consultations in the Committee (1973, 1976, 1978, 1980,
1982, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1990 and 1992). No full consultations have been held.
Il. Recent changes in Trade Policy
3. Since the last consultation, Bangladesh has continued its import liberalization programme.
The main objective of the new provisions of the Import Policy Order, 1993-95 is to enhance
competitiveness and export performance of the economy. Progress has been made in dismantling
non-tariff barriers and reducing the level of tariff protection and liberalization measures have included
a substantial reduction in the exchange controls on current account transactions.¦
(a) Import restrictions
4. The Import Policy Order, 1993-95 has reduced the number of four-digit HS categories from
193 to 114 in the Control List¦, however, a small number items has been newly included in the Control
list.4 Annex I of Bangladesh Statement for this consultation (BOP/323) indicates the reasons for which
different import restrictions are maintained. As stated in the document, imports of sugar, dextrose
and saline, salt, a number of textile items and single phased electric meters are restricted for
balance-of-payments (trade) reasons.
¦Consultation postponed from 1994.
¦For a comprehensive description of Bangladesh foreign trade policy and trade system see GATT (1992),
Trade Policy Review, Bangladesh, Volumes 1,11.
¦The Control List includes items the import of which is banned or restricted.
4The newly introduced items include: chicks,eggs, deep frozen semen of oxen, gas in cylinder, petroleum
gases and other gaseous hydro-carbons and chemical fertilizers. BOP/W/160
Page 2
(b) Import duties
5. Bangladesh has accelerated the implementation of its tariff reduction programme in 1991.
According to World Bank calculations, the average rate of unweighted nominal tariff protection declined
from 50 per cent in FY 1993 to 40 per cent in FY1994. The number of HS eight digit tariff lines
with customs duty rates above 100 per cent declined from 274 in FY1991 to 17 in FY1994. There
has been considerable compression of duty rates. Capital goods for export oriented industries have
been altogether exempted from all taxes and duties, whereas duty on other capital machinery has been
fixed at 7.5 per cent. Duty on raw materials has also been reduced. In the current year's budget the
declining trend has been maintained with a further reduction in average tariff to 26 per cent, as calculated
by Bangladeshi authorities, with the highest rate of customs duty set at 60 per cent.
6. Customs valuation methods at fixed standard tariff values above international prices continue
to play an important rôle as the use of higher tariff value raises the actual import tax rate. According
to the authorities, customs valuation methods have recently been streamlined. Preshipment inspection
has been allowed to override tariff valuation. A committee with representatives of traders has also
been set up to advise the Board on tariff valuation.
(c) Exchange regulations affecting trade
7. In 1992, the official exchange rate and the secondary exchange rate were merged into one rate
of exchange. Recent liberalization measures have resulted in a substantial reduction in the exchange
controls on current account transactions for the private sector. The practice of allocating foreign currency
at official rate of exchange has been abolished. Exporters can now retain proceeds in foreign currency,
but only up to 5 per cent for service exports and so-called low value added exports, and 15 per cent
for other exports. This foreign exchange may only be used for some purposes determined by the
authorities. Foreign investors may not import against direct payment, they must bring in the funds
and open letters of credit.
III. Macroeconomic and Trade Developments
8. Two important (and related) macroeconomic characteristics of the Bangladesh economy are
the large government budget deficit and the large merchandise trade deficit. However, the budget
deficits, have remained manageable in recent years, with the deficit to GDP ratio kept below 6 per cent.
Moreover, the deficits have been financed in large part with foreign resources, and recourse to domestic
financing has been small. While the trade deficits have remained large, this has not precluded an
improvement in the overall balance of payments situation. Especially in recent years, worker remittances
have financed a substantial part of the trade deficit, and in 1993/94 it is estimated that the current account
deficit declined to well under 2 per cent of GDP. In each of the four fiscal years beginning with
1990/91, foreign aid inflows have provided Bangladesh with a surplus on the capital account well in
excess of the deficit on current account.
9. The trade sector has significant structural problems. Despite attempts to diversify, export revenue
continues to depend almost entirely on a few products. Concurrently, the country imports a wide range
of products, including food, manufactured goods and fuel. BOP/W/160
Page 3
Output and Prices
10. The overall rate of economic growth in Bangladesh, still highly dependent on the performance
of the agricultural sector, was estimated to be 4.7 per cent in the 1993/94 fiscal year (ending June 30),
a slight decline from the growth rate of 5 per cent achieved in 1992/93 (Chart 1). Agricultural growth
was estimated to have accelerated in 1993/94 after an estimated increase of 1.9 per cent in 1992/93,.
Industry, which achieved annual rates of growth of around 7-8 per cent in recent years, was estimated
to have grown less quickly in 1993-94 because of longstanding problems in the jute and cotton textile
sectors, and sluggishness in private investment.
Chart 1 - Bangladesh - Growth of GDP at constant market prices,
1989/90-1993/94
(Annual percentage change)
1989190
Revised estimates.
Source JMF
11. Gross fixed investment has consistently exceeded national savings, but the gap between the
two has narrowed in recent years (Chart 2). While gross fixed investment increased from 12.8 per cent
of GDP in 1992/93 to an estimated 13.1 per cent of GDP in 1993/94, national savings increased over
the same period from 10.2 per cent of GDP to 11.8 per cent of GDP, largely due to an increase in
the savings of private and public enterprises.
12. Average annual inflation (as measured by the consumer price index), which had declined from
some 10 per cent in the late 1980s to 1.3 per cent in 1992/93, is estimated have increased slightly in
1993/94 to 1.8 per cent, in part due to the increase in prices of sugar and edible oils (Chart 3). BOP/W/160
Page 4
Chart 2 - Bangladesh - Gross fixed investment and national savings,
1989/90-1993/94.
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
1989/90
Revised estimates.
Source: IMF.
Chart 3 - Bangladesh - Consumer prices, 1989/90-1993/94
(Annual percentage change)
10
8
6
4
2
0
*Revised estimates.
Source: IMF. BOP/W/160
Page 5
Money and Credit
13. There has recently been an acceleration in monetary growth. Broad money grew by 15.4 per
cent in 1993/94 compared to 11.4 per cent the previous year. The acceleration was attributable to
an increase in growth rates over the period of both net foreign assets (from 7.2 per cent to 9.2 per cent)
and net domestic assets (from 4.9 per cent to 7.7 per cent). While domestic credit to the Government
declined, reflecting the increased reliance of the Government on non-bank financing, the credit to the
private sector increased, though at a slower rate in 1993/94 than in 1992/93.
Public Finance
14. Government expenditure has consistently exceeded government revenues (Table 1). The budget
deficit is estimated to have widened slightly to 5.6 per cent of GDP in 1993/94. Development
expenditure of the Government is largely financed by foreign aid inflows, which amounted to 4.6 per cent
of GDP in 1993/94 - compared to 5.2 per cent of GDP in the previous year. In both 1992/93 and
1993/94, high levels of domestic non-bank financing of the Central Government allowed a substantial
retirement of bank credit .
Table 1 - Bangladesh: Summary of Government Budget, 1989/90 - 1993/94
(Percentage of GDP)
1989/90 1990/91 1991/92 1992/93 1993/94*
Total revenue 8.9 9.2 10.4 11.1 11.2
Tax 7.4 7.5 8.3 8.9 8.7
Nontax 1.5 1.7 2.0 2.2 2.5
Total expenditure 16.3 15.7 15.1 16.3 16.9
Current expenditure 8.4 8.3 7.9 8.3 8.3
Food account 1.1 0.9 0.6 0.6 -0.4
Annual Development Program (ADP)1 6.1 5.9 6.0 6.6 7.9
Other capital expenditure and net leading 0.7 0.6 0.6 0.8 1.1
Residual 0.1 0.3 0.9 0.2 -0.2
Overall budget balance -7.5 -6.8 -5.6 -5.4 -5.6
*Revised estimates.
Source: IMF.
15. Government revenues stagnated at a little over 11 per cent of GDP in 1992/93 and 1993/94.
The decline in tax revenues in 1993/94 was offset by an increase in non-tax revenues. This reversed
the recent trend of increasing tax revenues brought about by a widening in the tax base and improvements
in tax administration. The tax system is characterized by a low share of direct taxes in total tax revenue
and an increasing share of consumption taxes in total tax revenue.
16. Aggregate Government expenditures increased slightly from 16.3 per cent of GDP in 1992/93
to 16.9 per cent in 1993/94. The consolidated central Government budget includes, in addition to
current expenditure and the Annual Development Programme (ADP), the food account and other capital
expenditure. Current expenditures, which include subsidies and transfers, were unchanged at 8.3 per cent
of GDP in 1992/93 and 1993/94. The food account, which reflects the difference between consumer
ration prices and procurement prices and the changes in Government stockholding of foodgrains, moved
from a slight deficit in 1992/93 to a small surplus in 1993/94. There was, however, a significant increase
in expenditure on the ADP, from 6.6 per cent of GDP in 1992/93 to 7.9 per cent of GDP in 1993/94,
partly reflecting progress in project implementation. The increase in expenditure on ADP was
concentrated on education, transportation and communication. BOP/W/160
Page 6
Exchange Rate
17. The nominal exchange rate has been relatively stable in recent years, depreciating slightly from
a period average of 38.2 taka per U.S. dollar in 1991/92, to 39.2 taka per U.S. dollar in 1992/93 and
then to 40 taka per U.S. dollar in 1993/94.
Balance of Payments
18. Worker remittances have enabled Bangladesh to run large merchandise trade deficits, and inflows
of foreign aid have more than covered the current account deficits.
Current account
19. The current account deficit narrowed in 1993/94 to 1.4 per cent of GDP, compared to 2.6
per cent in the previous year (Chart 4). Over the same period, the merchandise trade deficit declined
slightly from close to US$1.75 billion to a little less than US$1.6 billion (Table 2). The decline in
growth of exports of garments and jute was not fully offset by the improved performance of exports
of fertilizers and frozen foods, leading to a decline in the rate of growth of exports from 19.6 per cent
in 1992/93 to 6.3 per cent in 1993/94. There was, however, a larger decline in the rate of growth
of merchandise imports, from 17.5 per cent in 1992/93 to 0.1 per cent in 1993/94, with the recent
stagnation attributable to the reduced need for foodgrain imports, the stable price of oil and sluggish
demand in the domestic economy.
Table 2 - Bangladesh: Balance of Payments,
(In millions of U.S. dollars)
1989/90 - 1993/94
Revised estimates.
Excluding official grants.
Including official grants.
Includes IMF Trust Fund, aircraft loans, food loans, trade credits, short-term petroleum loans (net), and other commercial borrowing.
Includes valuation adjustments.
Source: IMF.
1989/90 1990/91 1991/92 1992/93 1993/94*
Trade balance -2,258 -1,788 -1,519 1,746 -1,598
Exports 1,524 1,718 1,993 2,383 2,534
Imports -3,782 -3,506 -3,513 -4,129 4,132
Foodgrain -343 -254 -264 -241 -155
Petroleum -312 -420 -320 -354 -290
Other -3,127 -2,832 -2,929 -3,534 -3,687
Net services -108 -27 -20 5 -17
Private transfers 802 846 975 1,065 1,244
Of which: Workers' remittances (761) (764) (847) (944) (1,090)
Current account balance' -1.564 -969 -565 -676 -371
Aid disbursements2 1,810 1,718 1,691 1,724 1.557
Food aid (188) (254) (241) (170) (118)
Commodity aid (457) (408) (386) (372) (453)
Project aid (1,165) (1,056) (1,064) (1,182) (986)
Amortization payments -186 -197 -210 -239 -272
Short- and medium-tenn loans (net)3 -99 -81 -161 -182 -239
Foreign direct investment 3 2 10 16 69
Capital account balance, net 1,529 1,443 1,330 1,319 1,115
Net errors and omissions' -89 -121 -179 -56 -85
Overall balance -125 352 586 587 659
2
3
4 BOP/W/160
Page 7
Chart 4 - Bangladesh - Current account, 1989/90-1993/94
(In percentage of GDP)
0
-1
-2
-3
-4
-5
-6
-7
1989/90 90/91 91/92 92193 1993/94*
* Preliminary.
Source: IMF.
20. The net balance on services account, which had shown a small surplus of US$5 million in
1992/93, turned into a deficit of US$17 million in 1993/94. In recent years, the positive balance of
earnings from non-factor services, such as transportation and travel, has been similar in magnitude
to the negative balance on investment income.
21. The narrowing of the current account deficit 1993/94 was partly due to the increase in workers'
remittances, which have displayed sustained growth in recent years. The level of remittances increased
from US$0.94 billion in 1992/93 to a nearly US$1.1 billion in 1993/94.
Capital Account
22. The positive balance on capital account is largely due to the magnitude of aid disbursements.
The small reduction in the capital account balance from US$1.3 billion to US$1.1 billion between
1992/93 and 1993/94 was due, on the one hand, to the decline in aid disbursements, from over US$1.7
billion to less than US$1.6 billion, and on the other, to an increase in both amortization payments,
from US$239 million to US$272 million, and net outflows of short and medium term loans, from US$182
million to US$239 million. Project aid accounted for the largest part of aid disbursements, with
commodity aid and food aid of relatively smaller magnitudes. Foreign direct investment has not been
significant, but has recently increased, from US$16 million in 1992/93 to US$69 million to 1993/94
23. In the last few years, the narrowing trade deficit and the increasing workers' remittances, as
well as the steady level of aid disbursements, have led to a significant increase in gross foreign reserves
(Chart 5). At the end of 1993/94, gross reserves of Bangladesh Bank, excluding non-resident foreign
currency deposits and other special accounts, stood at close to US$2.8 billion (equivalent to 8 months
of imports), compared to US$2.1 billion (equivalent to a little over 6 months of imports) at the end
of 1992/93. BOP/W/160
Page 8
Chart 5 - Bangladesh - Gross official reserves, 1989/90-1993/94
(End of period; in million US dollars and months of imports)
3000
2500
2000
1500
1000
500
1989/90 90/91 91/92
*Revised estimates.
Note: MMI refers to equivalent months of merchandise imports.
Source:IMF.
92/93 1993/94*
Chart 6 - Bangladesh - External public debt, 1989/90-1993/94
(In percentage of GDP; end of period)
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
1993/94
(Preliminary)
Source: IMF.
10
8
6
4
2
0
0 BOP/W/160
Page 9
Chart 7- Bangladesh - Debt service, 1989/90-1993/94
(In percentage of current foreign exchange receipts)
25
20
15
10
5
0
1989/90 90/91 91/92 92/93 1993/94
(Preliminary)
Source: IMF.
24. At the end of 1993/94, external public debt was close to 48 per cent of GDP, unchanged from
the level at the end of the previous year, and not much higher than the level of 45 per cent at the end
of the 1980s (Chart 6). The debt service ratio (as a percentage of current receipts), however, declined
to 11. 1 per cent in 1993/94 from 11.7 per cent in 1992/93 and 20 per cent at the end of the 1980s
(Chart 7).
Pattern of Trade
Commodity composition
25. In the 1980s, Bangladesh experienced a significant change in its pattern of trade, as non-
traditional exports (some with significant imported input requirements) grew rapidly, while traditional
exports stagnated. However, Bangladesh's attempts todiversify itsexportbasehavehad limited success,
with four broad categories still accounting for nearly 80 per cent of total exports (Table 3). Ready-made
garments alone contributed to more than half the export earnings in 1992/93, compared to a little over
a third in 1987/88. An important question is whether this growth can be sustained when rival producers
cease to be constrained by quotas as the MFA is phased out over the next decade. Exports of raw
jute and jute goods have declined in relative importance, from about a third of total exports in 1987/88
to around 15 per cent in 1992/93. Frozen shrimp and frogs legs, and leather and leather products
each accounted for over 6 per cent of total exports in 1992/93 but the relative importance of each has
almost halved since 1987/88. Naptha and furnace oil, and tea each accounted for less than 2 per cent
of export earnings. BOP/W/160
Page 10
Table 3 - Bangladesh - Merchandise exports by main product categories, 1987/88-1992/93
(Percentage of total merchandise exports)
1987/88 1988/89 1989/90 1990/91 1991/92 1992/93
Estim.
Raw jute 6.58 7.54 8.20 6.05 4.26 3.11
Jute goods 24.53 21.77 21.52 16.59 14.70 11.92
Tea 3.17 3.11 2.56 2.50 1.61 1.72
Leather and leather products 11.94 10.65 11.75 7.80 7.28 6.21
Frozen shrimp and frog legs 11.37 10.96 9.06 7.57 6.17 6.55
Ready-made garments 35.26 36.63 39.96 42.84 53.39 52.08
Naphtha and furnace oil 0.97 1.24 1.12 1.86 0.40 1.55
Other (incl. hosiery) 6.26 8.09 5.84 14.73 12.24 16.83
TOTAL 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00
Source: IMF.
26. Bangladesh continues to import a wide range of capital goods, raw materials and food (Table 4).
Investment is highly import-intensive, and capital goods imports accounted for nearly 36 per cent of
total imports in 1992/93, compared to around 29 per cent in 1987/88. Imports of textiles, an intermediate
input for the garment sector, have nearly doubled in relative importance, and accounted for over 20
per cent of total imports in 1992/93. The increase in domestic foodgrain production has led to a steady
decline in foodgrain imports, and they accounted for only around 5 per cent of total imports in 1992/93,
less than a third of their share in 1987/88. Other significant imports include crude petroleum, petroleum
products, edible oil, yarn, fertilisers and cement.
Table 4 - Bangladesh - Merchandise imports by main product categories,
(Percentage of total merchandise imports)
1987/88-1992/93
1987/88 1988/89 1989/90 1990/91 1991/92 1992/93
Estim.
Foodgrains 16.37 11.08 9.07 7.62 7.54 5.09
Edible oil 5.89 5.04 3.94 4.89 4.64 3.77
Oilseeds 1.31 0.33 0.32 0.37 0.26 0.94
Petroleum products 4.49 4.53 4.97 5.80 4.78 4.38
Crude petroleum 4.55 3.79 3.28 6.i4 4.33 4.66
Cotton 2.95 2.76 2.30 2.19 2.02 2.11
Staple fiber 0.23 0.27 0.16 0.23 0.60 0.81
Yarn 1.47 1.19 1.43 2.05 2.62 3.64
Fertilizer 1.54 3.20 1.22 2.50 3.33 3.13
Cement 2.24 2.46 2.59 2.93 3.02 2.75
Textiles 10.88 10.46 12.08 11.14 14.57 20.49
Capital goods 28.66 30.31 34.27 34.99 36.68 35.90
otherr 19.38 24.56 24.41 19.13 15.62 12.32
TOTAL 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00
Source: IMF BOP/W/160
Page 11
Regional pattern of trade
27. The growth in importance of garment exports has led to a corresponding increase in the
importance of the United States and the European Union as markets for Bangladesh's exports. Together
they accounted for 73 per cent of total exports (Chart 8). The European Union (15 per cent of total
imports), Japan (9 per cent) and the United States (7 per cent) are the principal sources of machinery,
transport equipment and chemical imports. The United States is also a major source of raw cotton
and cereals imports. However, countries like Republic of Korea, Singapore and Hong Kong have grown
in importance as sources of textiles imports as a consequences of the relocation of garment production
to Bangladesh.
Chart 8 - Bangladesh - Geographical distribution of foreign trade, 1991/92
(In percentage of total)
Eastern
india Europe - 1%
Canada - 1% United States - 32% Pakistan 7% Western
2% Europe - 15%
Japan - 9% Canada - 2%
United
States - 7%
Western Other
Europe - 41% 19%
Eastern Japan Other - 57%
Europe-1% 3% Other - 57%
Europe - 1% Pakistan
3%
EXPORTS IMPORTS
Source: IMF. |
GATT Library | hp635mr0502 | 1995 Consultation with Bangladesh under Article XVIII:12(b) : Statement by the Government of Bangladesh under Simplified Procedures for Consultation | General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, February 21, 1995 | General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (Organization) and Committee on Balance-of-Payments Restrictions | 21/02/1995 | official documents | BOP/323 and 0342-0367 | https://exhibits.stanford.edu/gatt/catalog/hp635mr0502 | hp635mr0502_90080792.xml | GATT_1 | 8,969 | 68,188 | RESTRICTED
GENERAL AGREEMENT BOP/323
21 February 1995
ON TARIFFS AND TRADE Limited Distribution
(95-0358)
Committee on Balance-of-Payments Restrictions Original: English
1995 CONSULTATION WITH BANGLADESH
UNDER ARTICLE XVIII:12(b)1
Statement by the Government of Bangladesh under Simplified
Procedures for Consultation
Import Policy
1. Bangladesh has been steadily liberalizing its import policy with a view to encouraging and
promoting both local and foreign investment particularly in the private sector. This has resulted in
increased flow of goods from abroad but this has also placed the domestic products in uneven competition
with the imported goods. Substantial changes and improvements have been made in the current Import
Policy (1993-95). Some of the steps taken in this regard are as follows:
(i) The strategy is to gradually withdraw items from the negative/restricted/control list
and to simplify procedures for import. This strategy is to be matched with fiscal
measures to accord reasonable protection to the domestic industries. While import
duties have been reduced for finished products, duties for raw materials have
simultaneously been reduced.
(ii) A number of items have already been withdrawn from the control list. The total number
of four digit entries in the control list in the present Import Policy Order, 1993-95
stands at 114. This shows that the total number of banned and restricted entries came
down from 648 in 1987-88 to 114 in 1993-95 Import Policy Order. The overall
reduction in seven years being 82.87 per cent. However, since the publication of the
Import Policy ban on import of four items, viz. newsprint, used or new rags, padlocks
up to 3" size, ropes made of nylon and polythene has been withdrawn and on the other
hand some restriction has been imposed on imports of petroleum products. Of the
111 items now under the control list the restrictions on 19 items are for trade reasons,
mostly to protect domestic producers, while restrictions on the remaining 92 items
are mainly due to religious, social, security or health grounds. There is a total ban
on import of very few items. Most items are importable subject to fulfilment of certain
conditions.
¦Consultation postponed from 1994. BOP/323
Page 2
(iii) The practice of allocating foreign currency at official rate of exchange has been
abolished. The offical rate of exchange and the secondary exchange rate have been
merged into one rate of exchange which is applicable also for import financing.
(iv) The ceiling of import by actual users without permission from any authority has been
raised from US$, 1000 to US$2,000.
(V) Bangladesh nationals living abroad may now send any importable item irrespective
of value ceiling through direct payment abroad in favour of any Bangladeshi living
in Bangladesh.
(vi) In the current Import Policy no formal letter of exemption from the Office of the Chief
Controller of Imports & Exports shall be required for exemption from LCA/IP fees
under the Licence and Permit Fees Order, 1985 in cases of imported capital machinery
and initial spares for the purpose of establishment of industries in the under
developed/less developed areas of the country or for setting up export oriented
industries. In such cases the customs authority shall directly .allow exemption from
LCA/IP fees.
(vii) At present freely importable items may be imported without an import passbook.
(viii) In the current Import Policy indenting registration fees have been reduced from
Tk. 20,000 to Tk. 10,000.
(ix) 100 per cent export oriented industries operating under bonded warehouse system have
been allowed to import packing materials either on a back-to-back L/C basis or up
to 4 (four) months requirement without any master export L/C; and for import of items
against back-to-back L/C by these industries, no authorization from Bangladesh Bank
shall be required.
(x) The condition for obtaining recommendation from the Ministry of Agriculture for Import
of insecticides, pesticides and raw material for manufacturing of such items has been
withdrawn. Now such items can be imported freely without permission from any
authority. Moreover, the list of importable pesticides and raw materials for formulation
of pesticides has been withdrawn in the current IPO.
(xi) The list of importable newspapers, periodicals, journals and weeklies has also been
withdrawn from the current Import Policy Order.
2. The above measures adopted by the Government over the last few years for the liberalization
and simplification of the import system have contributed significantly to the growth of imports. This
can be seen from the rising volume of imports during the fiscal years 1987-88 to 1993-94. BOP/323
Page 3
Fiscal Year Import expenditure in Import expenditure in Remarks
Million US$ Million Taka
1987-88 2,985.9 93,285.7 1992-93 and 1993-94 figures
1988-89 3,375.2 108,477.0 also includes import into export
1989-90 3,758.7 123,742.7 processing zones.
1990-91 3,469.7 123,781.7
1991-92 3,463.4 132,114.0
1992-93 4,070.9 159,335.0
1993-94 4,191.4 167,660.0
Source: Provisional annual import payments published by Bangladesh Bank.
3. In short, main guidelines for controlling imports, in the broad and freer framework of importation
in line with the principles of latest GATT accord, in addition to balance-of-payments (trade), reasons
have been confined mainly to:
(a) Health hazards
(b) Security reasons
(c) Social and cultural reasons
(d) Religious reasons
(e) Such other emergency and unforeseen developments
(See Annex I)
Tariff reform
4. Bangladesh is currently implementing a comprehensive tariff reform programme. Three salient
features of the reform package are discussed below:
(i) Reduction of high rates - though tariff reduction and compression has been an objective
of tariff reform in Bangladesh since the early 1980's, very little progress was made
before 1991. Though the maximum tariff rate was targeted to be 100 per cent, nearly
15 per cent of all Harmonized System (US) items had rates above 100 per cent.
Moreover, the tariff structure was characterized by numerous anomalies with import
tax incidence on many intermediate inputs in the range of 75-100 per cent, some
exceeding the rate on final products.
Tariff reduction began in earnest with the budget of 1992-93 and gathered momentum
in the subsequent budgets. In FY 93-94, the highest legal maximum rate of duty was
set at 100 per cent or below for all products (excepting alcoholic beverages and
cigarettes). There were only 17 HS items remaining at 100 per cent while average
tariffs were reduced to 36 per cent from 47 per cent in the previous year. In the current
year's budget, the declining trend has been maintained with a further reduction in
average tariffs to only 26 per cent, with the highest rate of applicable customs duty
set at 60 per cent.
(ii) Simple and transparent tariff schedule - prior to 1991, not only were rates high but
the schedule was characterized by multiplicity of rates, making for a highly complex
and almost unwieldy tariff schedule. A formal/logical scheme has been added to this
lack of system. The present tariff structure follows a "stage of processing" approach,
with few exceptions, warranted mostly by compelling protection or revenue
considerations. In the past two years, tariff rate increases covered only a handful of
items. In other words, tariff reduction was comprehensive, with few exceptions (Import BOP/323
Page 4
tax incidence on alcoholic beverages, cigarettes and luxury cars have been kept high
with the imposition of supplementary duties). The assignment of rates is based on
the following principles: basic raw materials (15 per cent), intermediate inputs and
capital goods (30 per cent), and final consumer goods (45 per cent). The highest rate
of 60 per cent is a protective rate set on the recommendation of the Bangladesh Tariff
Commission. The net result is a highly simplified and transparent tariff structure with
only five non-zero rates (7.5,15.0,30.0,45.0 and 60.0) in contrast with 24 rates in 1990.
Cascading rates are also expected to yield only a moderate level of effective protection
in comparison to past levels. The ultimate goal of the current tariff structure is to
promote competition and reduce inefficiency in the industrial sector.
(iii) Consolidation of rates - have been minimized or eliminated in order to improve
tariff/import administration, rate discrimination between users (commercial and
industrial) and between similar products. This adds further transparency to the tariff
structures while reducing the scope for arbitrary assessment of duties. In this exercise,
care has been taken to remove tariff anomalies arising from the prevalence of output
tariffs lower than tariffs on major inputs for some industries. Generally, input tariffs
are set at least 15 per cent below output tariffs, except for very low value added
activities, such as assembly activities (e.g. air conditioners, where input and output
tariffs could be set equal, yielding a rate of effective protection that is the same as the
rate of nominal tariff).
(iv) Duty drawback scheme - as part of its policy of export-led growth, Bangladesh has
allowed payment of Duty Drawback as an export incentive to the exporters of goods.
The amount of drawback equals the customs duties and VAT paid on importation of
such inputs as go into the manufacture of export goods.
In Bangladesh, Duty Drawback against exported goods are allowed in two ways: (i)
on a Flat Rate Basis and (ii) at Actual Rates Basis.
When duty drawback dues are calculated and allowed at a pre-determined and notified
rate, it is called a FIat rate. At present there are notified Flat Rates on about 720 items
and sub-items. The documentation requirement for applying for drawback payment
has been kept to a minimum. Claims under Flat Rates are usually settled in a week
and payment made to the exporter's bank account directly.
Sometimes there is no Flat Rate on an export item, especially when the item is new.
For disposal of drawback claims relating to export of such items, Duty Exemption
and Drawback Office (DEDO) undertakes surveys to determine the input-output co-
efficient as a basis for calculation of Drawback dues. Drawback then paid is called
Drawback at Actual Rates. If all the necessary documents are placed, DEDO can
usually settle the cases in a month's time.
5. Import Performance - 1993/94
Import payments increased by US$120 million (2.9 per cent) to US$4, 191 million during 1993/94
which is mainly due to the increased imports of non-food items. The imports of major items such
as pharmaceutical products, dyeing and tenning materials, yarns, textiles and articles thereof, iron and
steel etc. moved up significantly. However, imports of foodgrains, edible oil, milk and cream, cement,
crude petroleum, POL, cotton, etc., registered decline during the year under report. BOP/323
Page 5
6. Import Prospects for 1994/95
Total merchandise imports during 1994/95 are presently estimated to increase by 12.4 per cent
in nominal terms to US$5,000 million from US$ 4,191 million in 1993/94. Imports of non-food items
which accounted for about 94 per cent of total imports in 1993/94 have been projected to grow by
11 per cent in 1994/95. On the other hand, imports of foodgrains which accounted for 3.60 per cent
of total imports is projected to increase by about 32.5 per cent during the same period. With the expected
picking up of economic activities in 1994/95, the imports of capital goods, among others, are also
likely to increase by 13.6 per cent. Imports of other commodities like edible oil, fertilizer, iron and
steel, cement, sugar etc. are also projected to increase in 1994/95. Crude petroleum imports are
projected to increase from US$116 million in 1993/94 to US$132 million in 1994/95 and POL imports
are expected to rise from US$168 million to US$190million during the period, mainly due to escalation
of domestic demand. The total consumption of HSD in the country is expected to increase largely
due to the increased demand for agricultural and transport sectors. The consumption level of kerosene
oil is also likely to increase to meet the cooking and illumination needs of the growing population.
The country will have to pay US$38 million more for imports of crude petroleum and POL in 1994/95.
Imports of oil seeds and edible oil may increase from US$40 million and US$117 million in 1993/94
to US$45 million and US$133 million respectively in 1994/95 to meet the consumption requirements
of a growing population.
7. Domestic production of cotton is very much limited. Therefore, around 90 per cent of the
total requirements of the country are met through imports. The demand for raw cotton has also picked-up
following augmentation of capacities of the existing mills through implementation of BMRE programmes.
Therefore, import of cotton has been estimated to rise by 13.9 per cent to US$82 million from
US$72 million recorded in 1993/94. The need for cement in the country is continuously growing in
conformity with acceleration of construction activities in both public and private sectors. Domestic
production of cement is not enough to meet the local demands. Import of cement is, therefore, estimated
to rise by 14 per cent to US$114 million 1994/95 from US$100 million in the preceding year. Our
export oriented garment industries are almost totally dependent on imported textiles. Therefore, imports
of textiles may go up largely to feed these industries to ensure timely supply of this export item. Import
of textiles is, therefore, estimated to increase by 13.6 per cent to US$1,005 million from US$841 million
in the previous year.
8. According to provisional figures, actual import payments during July-September 1994, recorded
higher at US$1,178 million as compared to US$1,169.6 million during the same period of the previous
year. Of this, imports by the enterprises in EPZ also stood higher at US$37 million during July/October
1994 as compared to US$22.7 million in the same period of the last year. BOP/323
Page 6
9. Data on merchandise imports by major commodities during 1992/93,
(projection) are given below:
1993/94 and 1994/95
Merchandise imports
Items - 1992-93 1993-94 1994 95
(Estimate)
(Million USS)
A. Foodgrains 176 151 350
I . Rice - 10 100
2. Wheat 176 141 250
B. Non-food items 3,810 3,919 4,500
1. Milk and cream 65 37 42
2. Spices 24 22 25
3. Oil seeds 35 40 45
4. Edible oil 152 117 133
5. Coconut oil 2 2 3
6. Sugar 13 13 15
7. Cement 115 100 114
8. Crude petroleum 181 116 132
9. POL 172 168 190
10. Chemicals 126 144 163
Il. Pharmaceutical products 13 15 17
12. Fertilizer 131 135 153
13. Dyeing and tanning 34 36 40
materials
14. Cotton 82 72 82
15. Yarn 127 168 191
16. Textiles and articles 687 841 1,005
thereof
17. Staple fibre 31 31 35
18. Iron and Steel 106 130 148
19. Capital goods 1,346 1,299 1,475
20. Others 368 433 492
Total (A+B) 3,986 4.070 4,850
Imports by EPZ 85 121 150
Total 4,071 4,191 5,000
Source: Statistics Department, Bangladesh Bank.
10. Export Policy
The Export Policy of the Government sets out the objectives and targets for exports and the
strategies to be followed for achieving those objectives and targets. The Current Export Policy is for
1993-95 and outlines, among other things, the following objectives and strategies:
11. Objectives
The objectives of the Export Policy, 1993-95 are as follows:
to narrow down the gap between export earning and import payment through the achievement
of the export target set for the year 1993-95;
to develop marketability of exportables through product diversification and quality improvement; BOP/323
Page 7
to establish backward linkage with the export-oriented industries and service sector for utilization
of more local materials;
to attract entrepreneurs for setting up export oriented industries or undertaking such activities
by providing suitable incentives and encouragement;
to provide all possible assistance for marketing Bangladeshi export products in competitive
international markets;
to expand,consolidate and create new markets for Bangladeshi exportables.
12. Strategies
To achieve the above objectives, the Export Policy lays down the following strategies:
- simplification of export procedures and strengthening export-led co-operation through reducing
regulatory rôle of Government;
- encouraging establishment of backward linkage industries through reactivating the process of
utilization of locally available raw materials;
- participation in international trade fairs, single country exhibitions, specialized fairs and sending
businessmen's delegations abroad for expansion and consolidation of existing markets and
creation of new markets;
- expediting the process or BMRE of existing wet blue leather processing tanneries and help
them to switch over to finished leather process and export
- expediting the expansion of improved traditional/semi intensive method of shrimp cultivation
for enhancing export of shrimps;
to take appropriate measures to establish a permanent brand name for marketing Bangladeshi
tea abroad;
initiating measures to improve quality, increase production and expand markets for exportable
agricultural produce;
undertaking activities for enhancing export of computer software, engineering consultancy and
services;
organizing commodity-wise trade fairs of international standard within the country;
developing and expanding infrastructural facilities within the country for export trade.
13. Crash Programme Items
Toys, baggage and fashion goods, electronic items, leather goods, diamond cutting and polishing,
jewellery, silk fabrics, stationery items, cut and artificial flowers and orchids, gift items, vegetables,
and engineering and consultancy services are included in the Crash Programme. In order to boost
production and promote export of these crash programme items, assistance shall be provided for product BOP/323
Page 8
development, market promotion, bank credit on easy terms, import of raw materials, consignment
sale, duty drawback/bonded warehouse and securing joint venture partners.
14. Major incentives
In order to make our exports more competitive in the international market, a package of
incentives has been developed. Some of the incentives in the package are as follows:
a. Financial
- Rationalization of interest rate on export credit. Presently the commercial banks
are to charge interest on export credit within a range of 8-10 per cent.
- Introduction of Taka convertibility scheme. Presently the exporters can retain
upto a maximum of 15 per cent of this export earnings in foreign exchange.
- Cash assistance of 25 per cent on FOB value in lieu of duty drawback and
bonded warehouse. This facility can be availed of by the local fabric
exporters/suppliers to export oriented readymade garments industries, hosiery
products, specialized textiles and handloom products
- Creation of a credit line of US$25 million. This credit line has been created
specifically for CIS to help promote export to these countries.
- Creation of an Export Development Fund. Pre-shipment finance in foreign
currency is provided out of this Fund to the manufacturer-exporter of non-
traditional items at a concessional rate of interest.
b. Fiscal
- Duty free import of capital machinery. All 100 per cent export-oriented
industries outside the Export Processing Zone (EPZ) are eligible for this facility
like those in the EPZ.
- Duty Drawback Scheme. An exporter of manufactured products is entitled
to draw back the value of customs duties, sales tax etc. paid on the importation
of raw material after the finished products made thereof are exported.
- Bonded warehouse. Under this system, the manufacturer-exporter can import
raw materials duty free for export production.
- Duty free import of hides and skins, leather and leather goods manufacturing
units are allowed to import hides and skins without any bond and free of duty.
- Income tax rebates. 50 per cent income tax rebate is provided on the export
earnings for all commodities excepting tea, jute and jute goods.
Others:
- Entrepôt trade. Re-export facilities have been created for all items other than
readymade garments/fabrics. BOP/323
Page 9
- National Export Trophy. Outstanding exporters of different product groups
are awarded National Export Trophies every year as the slightest national
accolade.
- Commercially Important Persons (CIP). Exporters are also made CIP's on
the basis of their performance every year.
15. Institutional back-up:
- National Committee for Export. A National Committee of Export has been set up
with the Prime Minister in the chair to review export performance, provide policy
guidelines and ensure the implementation of these guidelines.
- Export Promotion Council. This Council is chaired by the Minister for Commerce
and provides a forum for free and frank discussion between the private and public sector
representatives towards policy formulation and implementation.
- Task Force for Export. This is a problem solving committee and chaired by the Minister
for Commerce.
16. Export Performance - 1993/94
Total export earnings increased from US$2,382.89 million in 1992-93 to US$2,533.90 million
in 1993-94, thereby registering a growth of 6.34 per cent. Sectorally non-traditional export grew by
9.24 per cent while traditional exports declined by 8.09 per cent during the year 1993-94. The overall
price index increased by 9.16 per cent but the exports in terms of volume declined by 2.82 per cent
in the same year.
Although exports grew by 6.34 per cent in 1993-94 over 1992-93, there was a short fall of
export to the extent of 12.62 per cent when compared with the target of US$2,900 million set for the
year 1993-94. This shortfall was mainly due to the shortfall in readymade garments, jute goods, jute,
leather and tea.
17. Export Review by major products:
(i) Readymade garments - earnings of this sector increased from US$1,240.48 million
in 1992-93 to US$1,291.65 million in 1993-94, thereby indicating a growth of
4.13 per cent. Compared with the target of US$1,650 million it had a shortfall of
21.72 per cent during the year. Since this is the biggest export sector contributing
about 52 per cent to the total export earnings, shortfall in this sector influenced heavily
the overall shortfall of the country's export earnings vis-a-vis the target for 1993-94.
(ii) Raw jute: earnings for raw jute in 1993-94 was US$57 million. This is lower by
23.29 per cent of the performance in the preceding year and by 28.73 per cent in terms
of the target set for the year under review. Unit price, however, increased by
3.06 per cent.
(iii) Jute goods: this sector earned US$283.79 million in 1993-94, which registered a
shortfall of 2.94 per cent compared with the performance of the previous year and
5.40 per cent compared with the target for the same year. Average unit price also
declined by 4.18 per cent. BOP/323
Page 10
(iv) Leather; there was an earning of US$168.17 million in 1993-94 as against
US$147.91 million in 1992-93. The rate of growth being 13.69 per cent. Target-wise
however, the same was a slight shortfall of 1.08 per cent. Unit price on the other hand,
showed a slight improvement to the extent of 0.93 per cent.
(v) Tea: export earning for tea declined from US$41.14 million in 1992-93 to
US$38.18 million in 1993-94 against the target of US$39.50 million. This means that
there was a shortfall of 7.19 per cent compared with the previous year and by 3.34 per
cent compared with the target. Unit price of tea, however, increased by 11.20 per cent
(vi) Frozen food: this sector showed all buoyancy in 1993-94 and succeeded in exporting
worth US$210.52 million. This amount is higher by 27.33 per cent compared with
the performance of the previous year and by 20.30 per cent compared with the target
of the review year. Unit price for shrimp also showed an increase to the extent of
18.89 per cent.
(vii) Knitwear: this is another sector where export earning in 1993-94 exceeded both the
performance of the preceding year and the target set for the year. The earning was
US$264.14 million which was higher by 29.14 per cent over the preceeding year and
at 5.66 per cent over the target for this year. Unit price also increased by
27.32 per cent.
(viii) Chemical fertilizer: earning from this sector was US$51.37 million in 1993-
94 compared to US$51.18 million in 1992-93 and a target of US$50.00 million. This
shows that there was a modest increase in the earnings of this sector in terms of both
last year's performance and this year's target.
18. Bangladesh export development strategy for 1992-2000
The Government has adopted an export-led growth policy and has undertaken a long-terrn
strategy. This export strategy is the base of the Industrial and Trade policies of the country.
The Export Strategy consists of the following:
(a) Government commitment to support export.
(b) Removal of regulatory constraint.
(c) Policy incentives.
(d) Institutional frameworks.
(e) Infrastructural support.
(f) Human Resources Development.
(g) Implementation of an Export development programme to expand and diversify the range
of exportable products.
An action plan has been prepared to implement the Export Strategy. Steps are being taken
as per the action plan. BOP/323
Page 11
19. Data on merchandise exports during 1991/92, 1992/93 and 1993/94 are given below:
Terms of Trade
20. After suffering a cumulative deterioration of about 40 per cent in 1980/81 and 1981/82, the
commodity terms of trade recovered progressively and attained a substantial improvement (21.2 per cent)
in 1984/85. This upturn was, however, reversed in 1985/86 when there was again a sharp deterioration
(18.4 per cent) largely due to a severe decline (27.5 per cent) in the average export prices as growth
in developed countries became sluggish. Export prices of raw jude, jute goods and tea, which fell
by 50.5,20.5 and 53.2 per cent respectively, were responsible for the bulk of this decline in average
export prices. Despite further declines in raw jute and jute goods export prices in 1986/87, the gains
in tea, leather and frozen food prices resulted in some improvement in the average export prices which
combined with an 8.7 per cent fall in the average import prices led to a 13.6 per cent improvement
in the terms oftrade. The terms further improved by 15. 1 per cent in 1987/88 following a 17.0 per cent
recovery in the average export prices.
The terms of trade of Bangladesh has suffered deterioration since 1988/89 due mainly to faster
increase in import prices than that of export prices. The situation, however, improved marginally
in 1990/91 when the terms of trade appreciated by 2.3 per cent. The terms of trade deteriorated again
in 1991/92, primarily due to a 3.8 per cent fall in the average export price index caused by a sharp
decline in export prices of jute goods, leather and tea. A 4.4 per cent deterioration in the terms of
trade in 1992/93 is attributed to a 3. 1 per cent rise in import price indices vis-a-vis a further 1.4 per cent
decline in export price indices. An estimated 3.0 per cent increase in import price indices with no
improvement in export price indices may result in a further decline of 2.9 per cent in the terms of
trade in 1993/94.
Merchandise export
(Million US$)
Items 1991-92 1992-93 1993-94
Total export 1,993.92 2,382.89 2,533.90
Primary products 267.26 313.91 346.81
Frozen food 130.53 165.34 210.52
Raw jute 85.49 74.33 57.02
Tea 32.43 41.14 38.18
Agri products 9.71 14.53 15.49
Others 9.10 18.57 25.60
Industrial products 1,725.83 2,068.98 2,187.09
Woven garments 1,064.00 1,240.48 1,291.65
Knitwear 118.57 204.54 264.14
Leather 144.46 147.91 168.17
Jute goods (including 301.64 292.37 283.79
carpets)
Chemical products 30.47 57.64 54.39
Petroleum by-products 8.33 36.81 15.63
Handicrafts 8.72 5.43 7.33
Engineering products 9.46 17.51 3.64
Others 40.18 66.29 98.35 BOP/323
Page 12
21. Import and export price indices along with the terms of trade of Bangladesh are shown below:
Terms of trade (1979/80 100)
Year Export price indices Import price Indices Tenns of trade
1979/80 100.0 100.0 100.0
1980/81 86.8 113.5 76.5
(13.2) (13.5) -(23.5)
1981/82 74.7 118.7 62.9
(-13.9) (4.6) (-17.8)
1982/83 76.1 112.5 67.6
(1.9) (-5.2) (7.5)
1983/84 89.8 110.9 81.0
(18.0) (-1.4) (19.8)
1984/85 108.8 110.8 98.2
(21.2) (-0.1) (21.2)
1985/86 78.9 98.5 80.1
(-27.5) (-11.1) (-18.4)
1986/87 81.8 89.9 91.0
(3.7) (-8.7) (13.6)
1987/88 95.7 91.4 104.7
(17.0) (1.7) (15.1)
1988/89 92.6 97.2 95.3
(-3.2) (6.3) (-9.0)
1989/90 95.6 103.0 92.8
(3.2) (6.0) (-2.6)
1990/91 (estimate) 101.9 107.4 94.9
(6.6) (4.3) (2.3)
1991/92 (estimate) 98.0 104.4 93.9
(-3.8) (-2.8) (-1.1)
1992/93 (estimate) 96.6 107.6 89.8
(-1.4) (3.1) (4.4)
1993 (estimate) 96.6 110.8 87.2
(0.0) (3.0) (-2.9)
Note. Figures in parenththeses indicate annual percentage changes.
Source: ERD
22. Balance of Payments situation for 1993/94
The balance of payments situation remained steady over the last few years. The current account
deficit which had stood at US$618 million in 1992/93 came down to US$420 million in 1993/94.
This was mainly due to the increase in private transfers to the tune of US$180 million during the year.
The workers' remittances stood higher at US$1,089 million in 1993/94 as compared to US$944 million
in the preceding year. The overall balance in the BOP which showed a surplus of US$594 million
in 1992/93 increased to US$673 million in 1993/94.
23. Balance of Payments outlook for 1994/95
The balance of payments situation is likely to weaken in 1994/95. The import payments and
export receipts are projected to increase by about 12.4 per cent and 14.4 per cent respectively in 1994/95.
The deficit in the current accounts balance may increase to US$635 million in 1994/95. The workers'
remittances are projected to increase by 10.2 per cent to US$1,200 million in 1994/95 from BOP/323
Page 13
US$1,089 million in 1993/94. The surplus in overall balance is projected to be US$465 million in
1994/95 as against US$673 million in 1993/94.
Analysing the balance of payments outcome on the basis of provisional data, it is found that
a deficit in the current account balance showed a surplus of US$7 million during July-September 1994,
as compared to a surplus of US$15 million during the same period last year. However, the overall
balance showed a surplus of US$139 million during the period as compared to US$222 million during
the same period of last year. It may be mentioned that surplus in overall balance is due to inflow of
resources through aid disbursement.
24. Foreign Exchange Reserves
Some obligatory repayments such as MLT amortization payments, IMF repurchases etc. will
have an offsetting effect on the projected inflow of resources in the balance of payments. Even then,
the gross foreign exchange reserves would continue to grow further and may reach a level of US$3, 100
million by the end of June 1995.
25. Remittance
The Government is exploring new avenues to boost manpower exports. Government is also
considering to extend banking facilities to increase the quantum of remittances through official channels.
These measures are expected to help enhance the foreign exchange earnings from remittances of
Bangladeshis to US$1,200 million in 1994/95 compared to previous year's level of US$1,089 million.
26. Details of the estimate of balance of payments for 1994/95 along with actuals for the preceding
two years are shown below: BOP/323
Page 14
(Million US$)
Items 1992-93 1993-94 1994-95
(projection)
Trade balance -1,688 -1,657 -1,900
Exports, f.o.b (including EPZ 2,383 2,534 3,100
of which EPZ (110) (103) (125)
Imports, c.i.f. (including EPZ -4,071 -4,191 -5,000
of which EPZ (85) (125) (150)
Services (net) +3 -10 -105
Receipts 617 670 720
Payments -614 -680 -825
Private Transfers 1,067 1,247 1,370
of which workers' remittance (944) (1,089) (1,200)
CURRENT ACCOUNT BALANCE¦
-618 -420 -635
Capital account (net) 1,275 1,278 1,316
Aid disbursement¦
1,675 1,559 1,683
Food aid (121) (118) (150)
Commodity aid (372) (451) (351)
Project aid (1,182) (990) (1,182)
MLT amortization payments -239 -264 -365
Short and medium tern loans (net -17 -20
IMF trust fund
Aircraft loans -9 -9 -15
Food loans -8 -11 -12
Short term petroleuum loans
Other short-term capital -160 -66 -75
Director investment (net 6 16 20
Portfolio investment (net) 10 53 80
Errors and omission (net)3
-63 -185 -216
OVERALL BALANCE 594 673 465
Financing items -594 -673 -465
Bangladesh Bank -553 -625 -415
Assets -518 -625 -335
Liabilities -35 - -80
Of which:
ESAF disbursements (81) (-) (-)
fuel repurchases (-79) (-70) (-56)
official deposit changes (-) (-) (-)
Commercial Banks (net) -41 -48 -50
Reserve (end June) 2,121 2,765 3,100
1 Excluding official grants.
2 Including official grants.
3 Including counterpart valuation changes
4 Including Asian Clearing Union Account and foreign exchange from non-resident currency deposits.
Source: Statistics Department, Bangladesh Bank. BOP/323
Page 15
ANNEX I
List of changes in the control list in the Import Policy Order since 1991-93 till 31.12.94 (under 1993-95 Import Policy Order)
Reference: Control list of 1991-93
HS HS Code Description of items Import status Reason for control
Heading no.
no.
1 2 3 4
0.03 AIl HIS. Live swine Import banned. Religious and social
Codes grounds.
Chicks
AlI items
" All items
0209.00 AlI items
AlI H.S.
codes
Only "parent stock and grandparent stock"
day old chicks shall be importable and a
certificate issued by the authorized officer
of the Livestock Department of the
exporting countries, to the effect that the
importable day old chicks are frec from
contagious disease,
Importable only be foreign exchange
earning hotels as per conditions in para
16(1) of this Order.
ditto
Import banned
Importable subject to fulfilment of
conditions in paras 15(1), 15(2) and 15(3)
of this order.
Milk food
Health grounds,
certification required
about free from
contagious disease.
Import is restricted on
social and religious
grounds.
ditto
ditto
Conditions imposed to
ensure quality on
health grounds.
0407.00 Egg
All H.S.
codes
Import banned. However "hatching eggs"
are importable. For imports of 'hatching
eggs" the importer shall obtain a certificate
from the concerned government department
of the exporting country to the effect that
the eggs are suitable for hatching and a
certificate from the Dire^tor, Livestock
Department of Bangladesh to the effect that
the importer requires to import such
quantity of hatching eggs.
Import banned.
All items
0511.10 Deep frozen semen of
oxen.
0701.10 Potato seeds.
Deep frozen semen of Frisian, Frisian
cross shahiwal, Shahiwal cross,
A.F.S.A.F.S. cross variety domestic cows
shail be importable. A certificate shall be
obtained from an authorized officer of the
Livestock department of the exporting
country regarding the variety of semen and
to the effect that it is free from any
contagious and venereal disease.
Potato seeds shahl bc importable subject to
the following conditions:
(a) Only the approved varieties of potato
seeds, namely the diamond, Cardinal,
Multa, Petraniz, Morin, Mondial and origo
varieties from Holland and the Kufri
Sinduri variety from India shall be
importable;
Restriction imposed
social grounds to
protect numerous
small scale local
poultry aimed at
poverty alleviation.
on
Restricted on social
and religious grounds.
Health grounds.
Withdrawn
Annex I (cont'd)
01.05
02.03
02.06
02.09
04.02
04.07
05.02
05.11
07.01 BOP/323
Page 16
HS HS Code Description of items Import status Reason for control
Heading no.
no.
1 2 3 4
(b) Each consignment of imported potato Withdrawn
seeds shall be examined by the concerned
seeds certification agency of the
government;
AIl H.S. Poppy seeds and "dried
codes Postadana".
AIl H.S.
codes
Ghas (Andropogen SPP)
and Bhang (Cannabis
Sativa)
AIl items
1404.901 Tendu leaves (Biri leaves)
1501.00 AIl items including lard.
1503.001 AIl items including lard
1503.009 stearin.
AIl H.S.
codes
Refined palm olein.
(c) The importer shall submit, along with
import documents a quarantine certificate
furnished by the original supplier;
(d) A quarantine certificate shall also be
obtained from the Plant Protection
Authority before clearing imported potato
seeds from the Customs Authority.
Poppy seeds and dried Postadana are both
banned for import. "Postadana" is not
importable as spices or in any other way.
import banned.
Import of "opium" is banned. Other items
except Agar aga and pectin are importable
with prior clearance from the Director,
Drugs Administration.
Import banned.
Import banned.
Import of ail items except "inedible tallow
and RBD palm stearing" is banned.
(a) Import of refined palm olein shall be
subject to production of separate certificate
from the Health Authority and the Chamber
of Commerce and Industry of the exporting
country to the effect that the consignment
of the palm olein is fit for human
consumption (edible). These certificates
shall be submitted to the Customs
Authority at the time of clearance of the
consignment.
(b) The following items shall not be
permissible for import as edible oil:
- solid or semi-solid palm oil which looks
like vegetable ghee;
- refined, bleached and deodorized (RBD)
stearin;
- crude palm stearing and refined and crude
palm oil.
Quarantine
requirement on health
grounds.
Quarantine
requirement on health
grounds.
Social and health
grounds.
ditto
Social and health
grounds.
Health grounds.
Religious and social
grounds.
ditto
Certification required
on health grounds.
Health grounds.
Annex I (cont'd)
12.07
12.11
13.02
14.04
15.01
15.03
15.11 BOP/323
Page 17
HS HS Code Description of items Import status Reason for control
Heading no.
no.
1 2 3 4
" Coconut oil
1601.00 AIl items
AIl H.S. (a) Raw sugar (white
codes crystal sugar or refined
crystal sugar with
polarization not less than
99.7 in either case).
Unrefined sugar/Gur.
Coconut oil shall be importable by the
recognised industrial units of hair oil up to
acid value 0.5 and the soap industry up to
acid value 10.0. It shall be also importable
for commercial purpose.
Importable only by foreign exchange
earning hotels as per conditions in para
16(1) of this order.
(a) Import of sugar is normally banned.
However, limited quantity of sugar shall be
imported in the specific procedure on
fulfilment of die conditions prescribed by
the government.
Freely importable but
restrictions on acid
value for health
reasons.
Religious and social
grounds.
Trade reason to
protect local industries
and growers of
sugarcane.
(b) Other sugars (beat
sugar and cane sugar in
solid form).
(c) Sucrose, chemically
pure sugar and refined
sugar.
IV fluid (dextrose and
saline).
Baby food (with cream)
(b) Importable only by the recognised
pharmaceutical units in limited quantity on
specific recommendation of the Director,
Drugs Administration and with prior
permission from the Chief Controller.
(c) Irnportable by recognised industrial
units subject to prescribed conditions.
Essentially required IV fluid (dextrose and
saline) may be imported in limited quantity
with the approval of the Director, Drugs
Administration.
Importable subject to fulfilment of
conditions in paras 15/1), 15(2) and 15(3)
of this order.
Trade reason to
protect local industry
which is relatively
new.
Health grounds.
Beer and wine of ail categories shall be
importable only by foreign exchange
earning hotels as per conditions in para
16(1) of this order. In special cases, such
items may be imported with approval of
Ministry of Commerce and prior
permission from the Chief Controller
subject to specified conditions. However,
in all cases, the conceded importer shall
firstly obtain licence/permission from the
Director General, Narcotics Control
Department. The conditions mentioned
above shall be equally applicable for import
of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beer.
Only "Ethanol (ethyl alcohol) analar grade
(undenatured) is importable by recognised
pharmaceutical units with clearance from
the Director, Drugs Administration and
subject to prescribed conditions. Import of
other items is banned.
Religious and social
grounds.
Religious and social
grounds.
Annex I (cont'd)
15.13
16.01
17.01
17.02
19.01
AIl H.S.
codes
AIl H.S.
codes
AIl items.
22.03
to
22.06
22.07
AIl H.S.
codes
AIl H.S.
codes
AIl items BOP/323
Page 18
HS HS Code Description of items Import status Reason for control
Heading no.
no.
1 2 3 4
AIl items
2307.00 AIl items
(a) Common salt except
table sait.
Importable only by foreign exchange
earning hotels as per conditions at para
16(1) of this order.
Import banned.
(a) Importable subject to conditions
prescribed by the government as and when
required.
ditto
Religious and social
grounds.
Trade reasons to
protect local industries
and growers.
(b) Table sait
Sulphur
Cement
Coal and Hard coke.
Petroleum products.
2802.00 Sulphur
2804.70 Phosphorus
2829.19 Potassium chlorate
(a) Potassium nitrate
(b) Barioum nitrate
(c) Thorium nitrate
AIl H.S. All items including
codes radioactive chemicals,
elements and isotopes.
AIl H.S. Trinitrotoluin (TNT)
codes
(b) Importable only by the foreign
exchange earning hotels subject to
prescribed conditions in para 16(1) of this
order.
Importable subject to prescribed conditions
for import of explosives in para 15(4).
In case of import of cement in the private
sector, a pre-shipment inspection certificate
has to be obtained from an internationally
reputed surveyor to the effect that the
quantity, weight and quality (standard) of
the item are found as declared.
In case of import of coal and hard coke in
both private and the public sector. a pre-
shipnent inspection certificate needs to be
obtained from an internationally reputed
surveyor to the effect that the quantity,
weight and quality (standard) of the item
are found as declared.
Importable by the private sector importers
only by approval of the government
authorized agency and also by fulfilling all
other legal formalities.
Importable subject to prescribed conditions
for import of explosives in para 15(4) of
this Order.
ditto
ditto
(a) ditto
(b) ditto
(c) Importable only with prior permission
from the Bangladesh Atomic Energy
Commission.
Importable only with prior permission from
the Bangladesh Atomic Energy
Commission.
Importable subject to prescribed conditions
for import of explosives in para 15(4) of
this order.
Security reasons.
Import free but
certification required
as to quality and
quantity to protect
consumer interest.
ditto
Security grounds.
Also the private sector
does not have storage
and rather facilities.
Security reasons.
ditto
ditto
ditto
ditto
ditto
ditto
Annex I (cont'd)
All H.S.
codes
22.08
23.07
25.01
All H.S.
codes
AIl H.S.
codes
AIl H.S.
codes
All HS
codes
All H.S.
codes
25.03
25.23
27.01
27.04
27.10
28.02
28.04
28.29
28.34
28.44
to
28.46
29.04
2834.21
2834.299
2834,299 BOP/323
Page 19
HS HS Code Description of items Import status Reason for control
Hending no.
no.
1 2 3 4
2930.909 Allylisthiocyonate
(artificial mustard oil)
2935.00 Sulphonamides
AIl H.S.
codes
All H.S.
codes
AIl items
AIl items
AIl H.S. Antibiotics
codes
AIl H.S.
codes
All items
Import banned.
Importable only with clearance from the
Director, Drugs Administration and
subject to prescribed conditions in para
15(8) and 16(3) of this order.
Importable by drug importers and drug
manufacturing industries only with
clearance from the Director, Drugs
Administration and subject to prescribed
conditions in paras 15(8) and 16(3) of this
order. However, vitamin A and D (food
grade) is freely importable by other
importers.
Importable with clearance from the
Director, Drugs Administration and subject
to prescribed conditions in paras 15(8) and
16(3) of this order.
ditto
ditto
AIl H.S. AIl items including "live
codes vaccines'
AIl H.S.
codes
Ail H.S.
codes
AII items
Enzymes
All H.S. Ail items including
codes explosives.
ditto
dino
For import by pharmaceutical industries
clearance from the Director, Drugs
Administration is required subject to
prescribed conditions in paras 15(8) and
16(3) of this order. However, 'enzymes
(food grade)" are freely importable.
Importable only with clearance fmrm the
concerned Ministry and subject to
prescribed conditions in para 15(4) of this
order.
ditto
ditto
ditto
Security reasons.
AIl I.S. Cinematograph film
codes exposed and developed
whether or not
incorporating sound
track.
(a) Cinematograph film (exposed) in the
English language without subtides and in
other languages (except sub-continental
languages) with subtitles in Bangla or in
English shall bc permissible for import.
Social reasons.
(b) Import of film in sub-continental
languages with or without subtitles shall
not be permissible. However, import or
export permit, as considered necessary,
may be issued on the basis of specific
recommendations of thc Film Development
Corporation for import or export of the
print/negative of such cinematographic film
produced as a joint venture.
Annex I (cont'd)
29.30
29.35
29.36
29.37
to
29.39
29.41
30.01
Ileakh grounds.
ditto
ditto
Health grounds.
ditto
ditto
30.02
30.03
30.04
35.07
36.01
to
36.04
37.06 BOP/323
Page 20
HS HS Code Description of items Import status Reason for control
Heading no.
no.
1 2 3 4
(e) Import of all cinematograph film shall
be subject to censorship rule codes.
4801.00 Newsprint.
All H.S. Woven fabrics of silk or
codes of silk waste.
All H.S. Hair of swine and yarn
codes made thereof.
Import banned.
Import banned.
Ban withdrawn.
Trade reason to
protect local industry.
Social and religious
grounds.
Import banned.
AIl H.S. (i) Long cloth (white
codes only) up to 33s counts
and width up to 36".
import of aIl items except those mentioned
in the third column are banned.
Trade reason to
protect local industry
which needs to be
encouraged to
establish backward
linkage.
(ii) Poplin including
shirting, white, dyed,
printed, striped and
checks up to 40s counts
and width up to 36".
(iii) Cambric including
shirting, white, dyed,
printed, striped and
checks up to 40s counts
and width up to 36'.
(iv) Serge and gabardine
of width up to 45" of all
constructions.
(v) Twill and corduroy of
width up to 45" of ail
constructions.
(vi) Mull. organdi, lawn,
voile. white, dyed or
printed up to 65s counts
and width 35".
(vii) Flannel white, dyed
and printed up to 45"
width.
(viii) Cotton synthetic
blended suiting of aIl
constructions up to 60"
width.
Annex I (cont'd)
48.01
50.07
51.02
to
51.05
and
51.08
51.09
52.08 to
52.12 BOP/323
Page 21
HS HS Code Description of items Import status Reason for control
Heading no.
no.
1 2 3 4
(ix) Cotton synthetic
blended shirting, white,
dyed and printed up to
45' width.
(x) Umbrella cloth.
(xi) Grey cloth, all sorts.
(xii) Indigo denim (jean
fabric) 100% cotton
fabric above 36" width
(in than or rolls not in out
pieces or out into size.
(xiii) Combat cloth.
(xiv) Drill and cellular
dyed including mineral
Khaki.
54.07 and All H.S. (1) Shirting and suiting of
54.08 codes 85% or more by weight
of synthetic or man made
fibre (synthetic
regenerated or blended
yarn of both) and similar
fabrics in any form,
including fents and out
pieces except polyester
shear of mesh 80-150
required for screen
printing machines/tables
and saree fabrics of 85%
or more by weight, of
synthetic or man made
fibre (synthetic,
regenerated or blended
yarn of both) in pieces of
5 1/2 yards to 6 yards not
in than or roll.
(2) Fents, cut pieces.
fabrics cut into sizes or
piece goods.
(3) Cotton synthetic
blended suiting of all
constructions above 60"
width.
(xi) Importable subject to prescribed
conditions in para 15(7) of this Order.
(xii) Importable against back-to-back L/C
by export oriented readymade garment
units operating under bonded warehouse
systems.
(xiii) Importable only by the Defence
Services.
(xiv) Importable by public sector agencies
only on the basis of recommendations from
the Ministry of Textiles.
Import of items mentioned in (1) to (3) in
the third column are banned.
ditto
ditto
Trade reasons.
Trade reasons.
Trade reasons.
Annex I (cont'd) BOP/323
Page 22
HS HS Code Description of items Import status Reason for control
Heading no.
no.
1 2 3 4
AIl H.S. The following except
codes polyester shear of mesh
80-150 required for
screen printing
machines/tables.
(i) Shirting and suiting of
85% or more by weight
of synthetic or man made
fibre (synthetic,
regenerated or blended
yarn of both) and similar
fabrics in any form;
(ii) Fents, cut pieces,
fabrics out into sizes and
piece goods;
(iii) Cotton and synthetic
blended suiting white,
dyed and printed above
45" width;
(iv) Cotton synthetic
blended suiting of all
constructions above 60"
width.
Import of items mentioned in (i) to (iv) in
the third column are banned.
(2) Grey cloth of all
sorts.
(3) Combat cloth.
Ropes made of nylon and
polythene except nylon
cord for V-belt.
Fishing nets.
(2) Importable subject to prescribed
conditions in para (15(7) of this order.
(3) Importable only by the Defence
Services.
Import banned.
Import of fishing nets (Gilinet) with meshes
of 4.5 centimetre or less in width or length
is banned. Net of other sizes are
importable only by deep sea fishing units
and mechanized fishing vessels with the
prior approval of the Director, Department
of Fisheries. Commercial import of this
item is banned.
Ban withdrawn, now
freely importable.
Restrictions on 4.5cm
or less fishing net
meshes to protect
fishery.
All H.S. (1) Knit fabrics, mesh
codes fabrics, pocketing cloth,
ribbing materials and
nylon satin.
Import of all items except those mentioned
in (1) and (2) in the third column are
banned. Items mentioned in (1) in the third
column are importable against back-to-back
L/C only by the export oriented
Readymade Garments Industry operating
under bonded warehouse system.
(2) Knit fabric brassiere
pad.
Annex I (cont'd)
55.12 to
55.16
Trade reasons.
56.07
56.08
56.07.41
to
5607.90
All H.S.
codes
60.01
60.02
Trade reasons. BOP/323
Page 23
HS HS Code Description of items Import status Reason for control
Heading no.
no.
1 2 3 4
630 All H.S.
Second hand clothing.
Importable subject to prescribed conditions
and procedure in para 15(6) of this Order.
Social and health
reasons.
All H.S. All items including used
codes or new rags.
All H.S.
codes
All H.S.
codes.
M.S. billets.
C.I. sheet
8301.10 Padlocks up to 3" (three
inches) size.
All H.S. Nuclear reactors and its
codes. parts.
All H.S.
codes
Boiler
All H.S. Second hand engines and
codes gear boxes.
Recognized industrial units shall import
only prime quality M.S. billets irrespective
of the source of finance. Import of M.S.
billets shall be subject to pre-shipment
inspection by an internationally reputed
surveyor. Necessary certificate regarding
pre-shipment inspection should be produced
to the Customs Authority at the time of
clearance of goods. Subject to the same
conditions it shall also be importable
commercially.
C.l. sheet of 0.457mm or more thickness
containing zinc coating of 381.45 grams or
more per square metre, will be freely
importable.
Import banned.
Importable by the Bangladesh Atomic
Energy Commission only with the
clearance of the sponsoring Ministry.
Boiler, auxiliary plant and other vapour
generating units are importable only with
clearance of the Chief Inspector of Boilers.
(a) Commercial import of
secondhand/reconditioned engines and
gearboxes of bus, truck. mini buses and
micro buses will be permissible. But such
engines and gearboxes shall not be
permissible for import if they are more
than six years old.
Freely importable but
PSI needed for social
reasons to protect
consumer interests.
Freely importable but
quality restrictions
imposed for social
reasons to protect
consumer interests.
Ban withdrawn.
Security reasons.
Security reasons.
ditto
Weighing machines
(b) Secondhand/reconditioned marine diesel
engines above 35 (thirty five) horse power
used in coasters, launches and self
propelled barges and other watercrafts of
this type will be commercially importable.
Only weighing machines based on the
metric system (in built up or knocked down
condition) and its spares, metric system
weights and measures shall be importable.
ditto
Freely importable to
ensure metric system
introduction and
protect consumer
interests this condition
remains.
Annex I (cont'd)
All H.S.
codes
63.10
Import banned.
Ban withdrawn.
72.07
72.10
83.01
84.01
84.02
84.04
84.07
84.08
84.23
All H.S.
codes
63.09 BOP/323
Page 24
HS HS Code Description of items Import status Reason for control
Heading no.
no.
1 2 3 4
AIl H.S. Radio transmitters and
codes trans-receiver wireless
equipment, walkie-talkie
and other radio broadcast
receivers including
receivers incorporating
sound recorders or
reproducers.
AIl H.S. Radio navigational aid
codes apparatus, radar apparatus
and radio remote control
apparatus.
AIl H.S. AIl types of motor
codes vehicles.
Importable by Radio Bangladesh and
Bangladesh Television with clearance from
the sponsoring Ministry. Also importable
by other government, semi government and
autonomous agencies on the basis of
clearance from the concerned
administrative Ministry and NOC from the
Ministry of Post and Telecommunications.
Telecommunication equipment is also
importable in the private sector on the basis
of NOC from the Ministry of Post and
Telecommunications.
Importable by user agencies with clearance
from the sponsoring Ministry.
(a) Manufacturing age of the used
reconditioned vehicles must not be more
than 6 (six) years at the time of shipment.
The six year time limit will be calculated
from the first day of the next calender year
of manufacturing of the vehicle.
Ail H.S. Ail items including tanks
codes and armoured fighting
vehicles.
Ail H.S. Ships, oil tankers and
codes fishing trawlers.
Ail H.S. (1) Warships of ail kinds
codes (both new and second
hand).
(2) Other ships (both new
and second hand).
A.. H.S.
codes
Weights and measures
9028.30 Single phase electric
meter (in completely built
up condition).
(b) The suppliers of second hand vehicles
shall furnish a written guarantee for making
the necessary spares available for a
minimum period of three years from the
date of shipment.
Importable only be the Ministry of
Defence.
Ships, oil tankers and fishing trawlers of
more than 15 years old shall not be
importable.
(1) Importable only by the Ministry of
Defence).
(2) Other ships (both new and secondhand)
of more than 15 years old shall not be
importable.
Only metric system weights and measures
and measuring instruments shall be
importable.
Imnport banned.
Security reasons.
ditto
dinto
Freely importable but
to ensure practice of
metric system this
condition remains on
social grounds.
Trade reason to
protect local industry.
Annex I (cont'd)
85.25
85.26
87.02
97.03
87.04
Security reasons.
Security reasons.
Health and
environmental reasons.
87.10
89.01
89.02
89.06
90.16
90.28 BOP/323
Page 25
HS HS Code Description of items Import status Reason for control
Heading no.
no.
1 2 3 4
9028.90 Parts and components of Importable only by the recognized electric Trade reasons.
electric meter and parts meter manufacturing industrial units as per
and components of single their entitlement for the items.
phase electric meters in
CKD and SKD condition.
93.01 9301.00 Ali items including Importable only by the Ministry of Security reason.
military weapons. Defence.
93.02 All H.S. All items including Importable by approved dealers of ditto
codes revolvers and pistols. firearms. Also importable as passengers
baggage by a person holding valid firearms
licence. However, in both cases
permission from the Home Ministry shall
be required.
93,03 to All H.S. All items including ditto ditto
93.05 codes firearms (excluding
prohibited bores).
93.06 All H.S. (a) Ammunition for (a) ditto ditto
codes sports, hunting, etc.
(b) Others. (b) Importable only by the Ministry of
Defence.
93.07 All H.S. All items including Impoortable only by user agencies and ditto
codes swords and bayonets. clearance from the sponsoring
administrative ministry.
Note:
(a) The following goods shall not be importable:
(1) Maps, charts and geographic globes which indicate the territory of Bangladesh but do not do so in accordance with the
maps published by the Departmenr of Survey, Government of the People's Republic of Banladesh.
(2) Horror comics. obscene and subversive literature including such pamphlets, posters, newspapers, periodicals,
photographs, films, gramophone records, and audio cassette tapes, etc.
(3) Books, newspapers, periodicals, documents and other papers, posters, photographs, films, gramaphone records, audio
and video cassette tapes, etc., containing matters likely to outrage the religious feelings and beliefs of any class of
citizens of Bangladesh. |
GATT Library | bn621jx1381 | Accession of Albania : Communication from Albania | World Trade Organization, February 10, 1995 | World Trade Organization | 10/02/1995 | official documents | WT/L/24 and 0209-0240 | https://exhibits.stanford.edu/gatt/catalog/bn621jx1381 | bn621jx1381_90080660.xml | GATT_1 | 253 | 1,621 | WORLD TRADE
RESTRICTED
WT/L/24
10 February 1995
ORGANIZATION
(95-0212)
Original: English
ACCESSION OF ALBANIA
Communication from Albania
The following communication, dated 20 January 1995, has been received from the
Deputy-Minister of Industry, Transport and Trade of Albania.
Regarding the Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization which entered into force
on 1 January 1995, the Government of Albania would like to express its interest for accession pursuant
to Article XII. It would be highly appreciated that the existing GATT 1947 Working Party considers
this matter as a WTO Working Party. The additional information concerning this matter is under
preparation and will be sent to the Secretariat as soon as possible.
Having regard to the Decision adopted by the General Council on 31 January 1995, the Working
Party on the Accession of Albania to the GATT 1947 has been transformed into a WTO Accession
Working Party and the Government of Albania will have observer status in the General Council and
its subsidiary bodies. The name of the Chairman and the terms of reference of the Working Party
are reproduced on the following page. WT/L/24
Page 2
WORKING PARTY ON THE ACCESSION OF ALBANIA
Chairman: Mr. A. Pinto de Lemos (Portugal)
Membership:
The membership is open to all Members indicating their wish to serve on the Working Party.
Terms of Reference:
To examine the application of the Government of Albania to accede to the World Trade
Organization under Article XII, and to submit to the General Council recommendations which may
include a draft Protocol of Accession. |
GATT Library | vs114sy7648 | Accession of Albania : Memorandum on the Foreign Trade Regime | General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, January 25, 1995 | General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (Organization) | 25/01/1995 | official documents | L/7613 and 0075-0120 | https://exhibits.stanford.edu/gatt/catalog/vs114sy7648 | vs114sy7648_90080587.xml | GATT_1 | 18,575 | 155,527 | "GENERAL AGREEMENT\n ON TARIFFS AND TRADE\n RESTRICTED\n L/7613\n 25 January 1995\n Limited Distribu(...TRUNCATED) |
GATT Library | tj379st6445 | Accession of Algeria : Communication from Algeria | World Trade Organization, February 10, 1995 | World Trade Organization | 10/02/1995 | official documents | WT/L/23 and 0209-0240 | https://exhibits.stanford.edu/gatt/catalog/tj379st6445 | tj379st6445_90080659.xml | GATT_1 | 247 | 1,598 | "WORLD TRADE\n RESTRICTED\n WT/L/23\n 10 February 1995\n ORGANIZATION\n (95-0211)\n Original: French(...TRUNCATED) |
GATT Library | jm464mz2183 | Accession of Armenia : Communication from Armenia | World Trade Organization, February 10, 1995 | World Trade Organization | 10/02/1995 | official documents | WT/L/25 and 0209-0240 | https://exhibits.stanford.edu/gatt/catalog/jm464mz2183 | jm464mz2183_90080661.xml | GATT_1 | 289 | 1,799 | "WORLD TRADE\n RESTRICTED\n WT/L/25\n 10 February 1995\n (95-0213)\n ORGANIZATION\n Original: Englis(...TRUNCATED) |
GATT Library | dj580gy0115 | Accession of Belarus : Communication from Belarus | World Trade Organization, February 15, 1995 | World Trade Organization | 15/02/1995 | official documents | WT/L/40 and 0283-0327 | https://exhibits.stanford.edu/gatt/catalog/dj580gy0115 | dj580gy0115_90080754.xml | GATT_1 | 262 | 1,685 | "RESTRICTED\n WORLD TRADE\n WT/L/40\n 15 February 1995\n ORGANIZATION\n (95-0312)\n Original: Englis(...TRUNCATED) |
GATT Library | bk626zp1498 | Accession of Chinese Taipei : Special Exchange Agreement. Addendum | General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, May 19, 1995 | General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (Organization) | 19/05/1995 | official documents | Spec(94)31/Add.1 and SPEC(94) 25-33 | https://exhibits.stanford.edu/gatt/catalog/bk626zp1498 | bk626zp1498_92280118.xml | GATT_1 | 148 | 1,004 | "GENERAL AGREEMENT\n ON TARIFFS AND TRADE\n RESTRICTED\n Spec(94)31/Add.1\n 19 May 1995\n (95-1332)\(...TRUNCATED) |
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GATT Library Dataset Card
Dataset Overview
Dataset Name: GATT Library
Description: The GATT Library dataset comprises a comprehensive collection of documents related to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), spanning from January 1, 1946, to September 6, 1996. This dataset is organized into a single Parquet file, which contains detailed information about the documents, including metadata extracted from the original files. The original files are stored in a tar.gz archive, organized into folders.
Languages Covered (based on a sample of 10,000 entries):
- English (en): 7,878 documents
- French (fr): 1,357 documents
- Unknown (Unknown): 486 documents
- Spanish (es): 261 documents
- Catalan (ca): 12 documents
- Portuguese (pt): 4 documents
- German (de): 2 documents
Total Number of Documents: 60,182
Total Number of Words: 133,196,586
Average Number of Words per Document: 2,213.23
Total Number of Characters: 941,277,211
Average Number of Characters per Document: 15,640.51
Date Range: January 1, 1946 to September 6, 1996
Dataset Structure
The dataset is stored in a single Parquet file, which contains the following metadata for each document:
source: The source of the document.document_id: A unique identifier for the document.title: The title of the document.short_title: A shorter version of the document title.author: The author of the document.date: The publication date of the document.type_of_document: The type of document.identifier: An identifier for the document.link: A link to the document.file: The file name.folder: The folder where the document is stored.word_count: Total number of words in the document.character_count: Total number of characters in the document.text: Full text content of the document.
Each Parquet file is accompanied by the original XML files collected into tar.gz files, one for each Parquet file.
Usage
The dataset can be used for various purposes including, but not limited to:
- Analyzing historical trade documents and agreements.
- Studying the evolution and impact of GATT on international trade.
- Developing natural language processing models to analyze the content of trade documents.
- Extracting insights related to trade policies and their implementation over time.
Source
The dataset is collected from the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) archive. The original files are processed and converted into Parquet format for efficient storage and analysis.
Dataset Citation
If you use this dataset in your research, please cite it as follows:
@dataset{GATT_Library_2024,
title={GATT Library Dataset},
author={Pleias},
year={2024},
description={Collection of GATT-related documents, organized by date and language, with detailed metadata extracted from the original files.}
}
Note: The dataset is presented and maintained by Pleias. All rights reserved.
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