INF/IFD/W/19  
 
25 May 2020  
(20-3774) Page: 1/4 
  Original: English  
 
WTO STRUCTURED DISCU SSIONS ON  
INVESTMENT FACILITAT ION FOR DEVELOPMENT  
 
OPEN -ENDED INFORMAL VIRTUAL MEETING OF 5  JUNE 2020  
FROM 3:00 TO 6:00 PM  CET 
ANNOTATED AGENDA BY THE COORDINATOR  
Following the convening notice  sent to delegations on 20 May 2020, t his annotated agenda  is 
intended to facilitate the discussions at the informal virtual meeting  to be held on 5 June 2020.1  
The main purpose of the meeting is  to allow delegations to share information and resume thematic 
discussions .2 It will allow Members to introduce their text proposals and contributions ,3 and the 
Coordinator to present the informal consolidated text4 circulated to all WTO Members  in April  – 
before turning to thematic discussions , which will co ntinue at the following meetings (24 June and 
17 July).   The meeting will not be used to conduct any negotiations , nor will it lead to any decision -
taking or drafting suggestions by the Coordinator.  
In keeping with the Joint I nitiative 's open, transpar ent and inclusive nature , all Members are invited 
to attend and participate  in the open-ended virtual  meeting s.  
1  INTRODUCTION BY THE COORDINATOR  AND REVIEW OF LATEST DEVELOPMENTS   
1.1.  After a brief introduction by the Coordinator  of the objectiv es and organization of the informal 
virtual meeting s, Members may update each other on relevant developments  in the initiative . 
2   BRIEF INTRODUCTI ON OF TEXT PROPOSALS  AND CONTRIBUTIONS BY MEMBERS  
2.1.  Members  who wish to do so  will be invited to  briefly introdu ce their text proposals  and 
contributions .5 Thereafter, the floor will be opened for general questions and comments on the text 
proposals or contributions . Delegations are kindly requested to  keep their questions or comme nts 
on the specific  elements of the text proposals and contributions for the subsequent thematic 
discussion.  
 
1 See the convening notice sent  to all delegations on 20 May 2020.  
2 See the "Proposed Schedule of Open -Ended Informal Virtual Meetings  June-July 2020" (INF/IFD/W/18),2 
dated 20 May 2020.  
3 Text contributions have been submitted by Argentina  (INF/IFD/RD/42) , and text proposals have been 
submitted by  China (INF/IFD/RD/48) , the European Union (INF/IFD/RD/46) , Japan (INF/IFD/RD/47) and 
Turkey (INF/IFD/RD/49) . See also the c ommunication from Qatar (INF/IFD/RD/51), which provides initial 
comments on the streamlined text circulated by the Coordinator in January 2020 (INF/IFD/RD/45).  
4 Document INF/IFD/RD/50 dated 22 April 2020.  
5 Text contributions have been submitted by Argent ina (INF/IFD/RD/42) , and text proposals have been 
submitted by  China (INF/IFD/RD/48) , the European Union (INF/IFD/RD/46) , Japan (INF/IFD/RD/47) and Turkey 
(INF/IFD/RD/49) . See also the communication from Qatar (INF/IFD/RD/51), which provides initial commen ts on 
the streamlined text circulated by the Coordinator in January 2020 (INF/IFD/RD/45).  INF/IFD/W /19 
 
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  3  BRIEF INTRODUCTION OF THE INFORMAL CONSOLIDATED  TEXT  BY THE COORDINATOR  
3.1.  The informal consolidated text has been prepared by the Coordinator on the basis of the 
streamlined text6 as well as  the text proposals and contributions submitted by Members so far.7  Its 
structure, content and wording do not, in any way, prejudge the position or views of any delegation 
on the issues under negotiation .  
3.2.  After a brief introduction by the Coordinator , Members  who wish to do so will be invited to 
request  clarifications or provide preliminary/general comments  on the informal c onsolidated text. 
4  THEMATIC DISCUSSION   
4.1.  Discussions will be organized thematically , on an element -by-element  basis, based on the  
structure  of the informal consolidated text .   
4.2.  The themes and elements in the consolidated text will be addressed in  the following order:8 
Section II: Transparency of investment measures  
• Publication and availability of measures and information  
• Notification to the WTO  
• Enquiry points  
• Specific exceptions to transparency requirements  
Section III: Streamlining and Speeding up Administrative Procedures and Requirements  
• Consistent, reasonable, objective and impartial administration of measures  
• Reduction and simplification of administrative procedures and documentation 
requirements  
• Clear criteria for administrative procedures  
• Authorization procedures  
• Treatment of incomplete a nd rejection of applications  
• Fees and charges  
• Periodic review of administrative procedures and requirements  
• Use of ICT/e -government, including electronic applications  
• One-stop shop/single window -types of mechanisms  
• Independence of competent authorities  
• Appeal and review  
Section III bis: Temporary entry for investment persons/ facilitation of movement of 
business persons for investment purposes  
• Temporary entry for investment persons  
• Facilitation of movement of business persons  for investment purposes  
 
6 Document INF/IFD/RD/45, dated 17 January 2020.  
7 The consolidated text includes the text contributions submitted by Argentina (INF/IFD/RD/42)  and the 
text proposals  submitted by  China (INF/IFD/RD/48) , the European Union (INF/IFD/RD/46) , Japan 
(INF/IFD/RD/47) and Turkey (INF/IFD/RD/49) . 
8 The themes/elements are identified as in the informal consolidated text for ease of reference – this is 
without prejudice to the specific content of proposals by Members.  INF/IFD/W/1 9 
 
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  Section III ter: transfers and subrogation  
Preamble  
Section I: Scope and general principles  
• Scope  
• Most-favoured nation treatment  
Section IV: Contact/focal point/Ombudsperson types of mechanisms, arrangements to 
enhance domestic coo rdination and cross -border cooperation on investment facilitation  
• Contact point/focal point/Ombudsperson types of mechanisms  
• Domestic regulatory coherence  
• Cross -border cooperation on investment facilitation  
Section V: Special and Differential Treatment for Developing and Least -Developed country 
Members  
• General principles  
• Implementation  
• Notification of dates for implementation of categories B and C  
• Grace period for the application of the Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing 
the Settle ment of Disputes  
• Technical assistance and capacity building  
Section VI: Cross -cutting issues  
• Corporate social responsibility  
• Measures against corruption  
Section VII: Institutional arrangements and final provisions  
• WTO Committee on investment facilitation  
• General exceptions  
• Security exceptions  
• Financial exceptions  
• Dispute settlement  
• Final provisions  
4.3.  For each of the above elements and in successive order:  
➢ The Coordinator will briefly introduce the initial draft of the informal consolidated text  on the 
corresponding element ,9 if any . 
➢ Thereafter, Members will be invited to present their text proposals or contributions on the 
corresponding element, if any .  
➢ Following the presentation of text proposals or contributions by Members , the floor will be 
opened for views, questions and comments.  
 
9 The initial draft is based on the streamlined text, which was incorporated into the consolidated text.  INF/IFD/W /19 
 
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  4.4.  The discussion will resume on the remaining elements at the following meeting, starting from 
where the discussion was adjourned.  
4.5.  All Members are encouraged to actively participate in the discussion.  
5  OTHER BUSINESS  AND NEXT MEETING  
 
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