WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONWT/MIN(01)/W/7
12 November 2001
(01-5727)
MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE
Fourth SessionDoha, 9 - 13 November 2001Original:  English
PROPOSALS BY LEAST-DEVELOPED COUNTRIES FOR ALTERNATIVE TEXT IN THE
DRAFT MINISTERIAL DECLARATION JOB(01)/140/REV.1 OF 27 OCTOBER 2001
Communication from Tanzania
The following communication, dated 12 November 2001, has been received from the Minister
for Industry and Trade of Tanzania, on behalf of the Least-Developed Countries, with the request that
it be circulated as an official document of the Fourth Ministerial Conference.
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Below are some of the proposals we would like to make in the draft Ministerial Declaration
JOB(01)/140/Rev.1 of 27 October 2001.
PREAMBLE (paragraphs 1-11)
• Paragraph 2
After the last sentence, we propose an addition of the following sentence:
"Due to the existing imbalances, there is need  for greater equity in the system and benefits
deriving from it.  There should be the mainstream ing of development concerns in the WTO, with a
development agenda that includes satisfactorily addressing implementation issues;  operationalising
special and differential treatment;  ensuring trade policy flexibility to acco mmodate the interests of
developing countries;  securing meaningful preferential market access for LDCs;  taking full account
of developing countries' interests in the built-in agenda and mandated reviews;  fairer procedures and
conditions for developing countries seeking accession;  effective capacity building;  and ensuring an
inclusive and transparent negotiating process.  We recognise that this is a full agenda which shall be
given the highest priority."
• Paragraph 4
The paragraph should be restructured to read as follows:
"We stress our commitment to the WTO as an important  forum for global trade rule-making
in areas in which it has a mandate  while also recognising that regional trade arrangements can play
an important role in promoting the liberalization and expansion of trade and in fostering
development."
• Paragraph 8
This paragraph should be deleted.WT/MIN(01)/W/7
Page 2
• Paragraph 11
In the first sentence of this paragraph the words "the broad and balanced" should be replaced
by the words "a balanced".
WORK PROGRAMME
IMPLEMENTATION-RELATED ISSUES AND CONCERNS
• Paragraph 12
In the first sentence of this paragraph the words "to find appropriate solution" should be
replaced by "to resolve".
MARKET ACCESS FOR NON-AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS:
• Paragraph 16
This paragraph should now read as follows:
"A study process through a Working Group shall be initiated to examine the effects of
previous tariff reduction schemes which have had on the economies and social development of LDCs
and other developing countries, including the impact  on local firms, on employment and government
revenue.  The study process shall also examine the possible effects of future tariff reductions and
among other things also determine whether there should  be future negotiations in this area.  In the
study process it should be made clear that exemptions from further liberalization commitments will be
given to LDCs and to other developing countries that have been and would be adversely affected by
liberalization measures.  We note that there is at present no consensus to begin negotiations in this
area."
SINGAPORE ISSUES:
• Paragraphs 20-23 (Singapore Issues)
The LDCs are strongly of the view that th e study process in the respective Working Groups
should continue as there is no consensus for commencing negotiations on Singapore and other issues.
LDCs are yet to fully understand the implications of  the respective rules besides the fact that LDCs
lack capacity to indulge into the proposed negotiations.
TRADE, DEBT AND FINANCE:
• Paragraphs 30 and 31
LDCs are strongly of the view that Worki ng Groups for Trade, Debt and Finance;  and Trade
and Transfer of Technology are established.
TECHNICAL COOPERATION AND CAPACITY BUILDING:
Paragraph 32
First sentence should read as follows:WT/MIN(01)/W/7
Page 3
We confirm that technical cooperation and capacity building are core elements of the
development dimensions of the multilate ral trading system, and we welcome and take note of  the
New Strategy for WTO Technical Cooperation for Capacity Building, Growth and Integration.
Paragraph 34
An addition of the following sentence at the end of the existing paragraph:
Capacity building is the core of needs of the LDCs in their efforts to fully and effectively
integrate into the world economy and the multilateral trading system and should therefore be at the
core of the WTO multilateral agreements, taking into account full participation by government,
private sector and civil society, as well as mainstreaming trade into poverty eradication strategies.
LEAST-DEVELOPED COUNTRIES:
Paragraph 35
This paragraph should be reformulated to read as follows:
We acknowledge the seriousness of the concerns expressed by the LDCs in the Zanzibar
Declaration adopted by their Ministers in July 2001.  We recognize that the integration of the LDCs
into the trading system requires meaningful  market access, support to diversification of production
and export base,  trade-related technical assistance and capacity building for these countries. We
agree that the meaningful integration of LDCs into the trading system  and the global economy will
involve efforts by all WTO Members.  We, therefore  agree to make the commitment that  the
developed countries shall provide bound duty-fr ee and quota-free market access for all products
originating from LDCs with flexible Rules of Orig in to match the industrial capacity of the LDCs.
Developing countries shall, to the extent possibl e, also implement meas ures in line with this
decision.  We agree not to apply any contingency protection measures, in particular anti-dumping,
countervailing and safeguard measures, on ma rket access for export products of LDCs.
Developing countries shall, to the extent possibl e, also implement meas ures in line with this
decision.  We agree not to apply any contingency protection measures, in particular anti-dumping,
countervailing and safeguard measures, on mark et access for export products of LDCs.  Accession
of LDCs remains a priority for the Membership.  We agree to fast-track accession for LDCs
recognizing that concessions and commitments made by LDCs should be consistent with their
development needs, resources and institutiona l capacity and that LDCs shall not assume
obligations or commitments which go beyond what  is applicable to LDC Members including the
transition periods under various agreements commencing from the date of accession.  We instruct
the Secretariat to reflect the priority we attach to LDCs' accession in the annual plans for technical
assistance with a view to ensuring accession of LD Cs not later than the Fifth Ministerial
Conference.  We agree that LDCs shall be exempted from making reciprocal commitments in any
new undertakings and shall have sufficient flexibility in implementing their obligations.  We
instruct the Sub-Committee for LDCs to design a work programme for effective implementation of
these commitments including those under Commitment 5 of UN LDC III Plan of Action and to
report on the agreed work programme to the General Council at its first Meeting in year 2002.
• Paragraph 36
This paragraph should be reformulated to read as follows:
With a view to addressing the supply-side constraints of LDCs, we commit ourselves to
increase technical and financial assistance to up grade LDCs' production and export capacities and
capabilities through coordinated delivery of techni cal assistance with bila teral donors in the OECD
Development Assistance Committee and relevant in ternational and regional intergovernmentalWT/MIN(01)/W/7
Page 4
institutions.   We take note of  the Integrated Framework for Trade-Related Technical Assistance to
Least Developed Countries (IF) as a potential model for LDCs trade development.  We urge
Development Partners to significantly increase contributions to the IF Trust Fund and WTO Extra-
Budgetary Trust Funds in favour of LDCs.  We urge the core Agencies, in coordination with
Development Partners, to explore the enhancement of the IF with a view to addressing the supply-
side constraints of LDCs and the extension of the model to all LDCs, following the review of the IF
and the appraisal of the on-going Pilot Scheme in se lected LDCs.  We request the Director-General
following coordination with heads of other agencies, to provide an interim report to the General
Council in December 2002 and a full report to the Fifth Session of the Ministerial Conference on all
issues affecting Least-Developed Countries.
SPECIAL AND DIFFERENTIAL TREATMENT
• Paragraph 37
This paragraph should be reformulated to read as follows:
We reaffirm that provisions for special and di fferential treatment are an integral part of the
WTO Agreements.  We note the concerns expressed regarding their operation in addressing specific
constraints faced by developing countries, particularly LDCs.  In that connection, we also note that
some Members have proposed a Framework Agr eement on Special and Differential Treatment
(WT/GC/W/442).  We therefore agree to entrust the General Council to elaborate a Framework
Agreement on S&D Treatment.  This elaboration should be completed by the Fifth Ministerial
Conference and should include the following elements:
1. review of the effectiveness of all existing S&D treatment provisions in favour of
developing countries with a view to ensuring that individual S&D treatment provisions are
strengthened and made more precise, effective and operational;
2. recommendations to ensure that S&D treatment is mandatory and legally binding
through the dispute settlement system of the WTO;  and
3. recommendations to ensure that flexibility in consonance with the trade and
development needs of individual developing and least-developed countries is provided in the
negotiation and application of rules, including new agreements when negotiated.
ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT OF THE WORK PROGRAMME:
• Paragraphs 38-45
The existing paragraphs should be replaced by the following text:
The work contained in the Work Programme agreed to, shall be concluded in the existing
bodies of the WTO under the supervision of the General Council.  The General Council shall report to
the Fifth Ministerial Conference on the progress of the work.  The Fifth Ministerial Conference will
take stock of the progress made and take appropriate decisions as necessary.
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