RESTRICTEDWORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONWT/BFA/W/43
5 October 2000
(00-4086)
Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration
DIVISIONAL REPORTING ON OBJECTIVES AND EXPENDITUREWT/BFA/W/43
Page 2
Senior Management
Part Section Budget Expenditure Balance
A. Work years* Salary 2,761,570 1,559,709 1,201,861
Temporary assistance 212,000 118,278 93,722
B. Administrative
     Costs Communications 22,000 12,349 9,651
Permanent Equipment 18,540 15,757 2,783
Expendable Equipment 0 0 0
Contractual Services 0 0 0
C. Other costs Staff Overhead Costs 2,500 2,500 0
Missions 0
     Official 372,000 241,547 130,453
     Technical Cooperation 0
Representation and 0
     Hospitality 194,150 118,887 75,263
Total 3,582,760 2,069,027 1,513,733
*including higher category staff.WT/BFA/W/43
Page 3
Information and Media Relations Division
Part Section Budget Expenditure Balance
A. Work years* Salary 2,942,290 2,809,155 133,135
Temporary assistance 68,000 52,292 15,708
0
B. Administrative 0
     Costs Communications 21,000 23,738 (2,738)
Permanent Equipment 35,000 12,931 22,069
Expendable Equipment 0
Contractual Services 1,000 53,505 (52,505)
0
C. Other costs Staff Overhead Costs 0
Missions 0
     Official 15,000 20,311 (5,311)
     Technical Cooperation 0
Representation and 0
     Hospitality 5,000 4,990 10
0
Miscellaneous 0
     Library 550,000 530,231 19,769
     Publications 183,000 160,382 22,618
     Information Activities 229,000 277,108 (48,108)
Total 4,049,290 4,049,290 3,944,643 104,647
*Including higher category staff.WT/BFA/W/43
Page 4
Information and Media Relations Division
Following is the Division’s assessment on reaching the stated objectives for 1999.
(i) In following through on the mandate handed down by Ministers at the 1998 Geneva Ministerial
Conference, IMRD, embarked on a program of enhanced public awareness through a number ofdifferent media. A good portion of these efforts was linked to the preparations for the 1999 Ministerial
Conference in Seattle. As part of that preparati on, our media contacts were increased by reaching out
in a pro-active way to a group of journalist who had not previously had contact with the WTO.
Several staff members visited the West Coast of the United States and Canada and met with
journalists in Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco and Los Angeles. Similar efforts were
undertaken in France, Germany, Britain, Japan.
Roughly a dozen journalists from Least Developed Countries were invited to the Seattle
Ministerial and these journalist received special briefings from IMRD staff throughout the week.
IMRD was responsible for dealing with 2,700 journali sts in Seattle, the largest press contingent for
any WTO-GATT ministerial conference. These journalists received dozens of briefings during the
week from press officers and WTO experts. IMRD also arranged for Ministers and other delegates to
hold briefings in the media center. WTO officials appeared on television and radio programs anaverage of six times a day.
The number of press briefings during the year was perhaps the highest ever, due largely to the
great interest in disputes such as bananas and beef, the DG selection process and the preparations for
the Ministerial Conference. Twenty five new publications were issued in 1999 and a number of
improvements were made to the web-site , including a new search facility, improved security, faster
server for better user access.
Web-casting was used for the High Level Symposia on Trade and on Development, as well as
for a live web-casting of the WTO Ministerial. This enabled over 15,000 individuals to participate
through the Internet in the High Level symposia.  About 20,000 users from around the globe were
able to follow the Ministerial, live or through access to archived files on the Internet.
The number of individuals using the WTO web site continued to increase at a rate of 10% per
month during 1999, reaching an apogee of 360,000 individual users from 179 countries in the run-up
to and during the WTO Ministerial.
IMRD also informed WTO member governments about its information activities and helped initiate
discussions on how governments could enhance public understanding of the WTO throughconferences, debates and briefings for their respective media.
As part of its efforts to enhance public understanding, IMRD also arranged and participated in 108
presentations to more than 3,400 visitors to the WTO in 1999.
(ii) The increased focus on the WTO provided an opportunity to reach out to many more people than
ever before. The volume of press reports on the WTO was almost certainly the largest ever. The
Seattle Ministerial Conference actually provided us with an opportunity to tell our story to the world.
Although the outcome of the Conference was fa r from ideal, most journalists did come away
from Seattle with a better understanding of how the WTO works, how it makes decisions and the
extent of its mandate. This understanding was enhanced by the work of the IMRD which published
pre-Ministerial press pack with 22 sections and 73 pages. The press pack contained information on all
WTO agreements, how the organization functions, wh at the key issues were in Seattle and what
journalists could expect during the course of the week. These press packs were distributed to
journalists, NGOs and delegates in print versions and for the first time on a CDROM. The latter
enable us to provide logos and other visual material for use by news media.
(iii) Eight new CD-ROM and internet products were issued in 1999, including the first of a series of
interactive training modules on CD-ROM. The fi rst two focus on the Textiles Agreement on how to
access WTO information and databases through the Internet and on CDROMWT/BFA/W/43
Page 5
(iv) IMRD embarked on a number of new initiative s with private sector co-publishing partners. We
established a partnership with Cambridge University Press for the publication and distribution of
WTO dispute settlement reports. The first editions, including hard cover copies of the Legal Texts,
were printing and distributed in 1999. The co-publishing agreements produced significant cost savings
for the WTO. It is estimated that the producti on costs for books and CD-ROMs assumed by our co-
publishing partners represent a savings for the WTO of over CHF400,000 for 1999.  In addition, theWTO gained about CHF65,000 in royalties due from its co-publishing partners for the sale of books
and CD-ROMs. The objective of increasing dissemination of WTO materials was also met, as
exemplified by sales of TPR reports, which more doubled over the year through the marketing efforts
of our co-publisher Bernan.
(v) During 1999 some 30 publications were produced (in English, French and Spanish editions) which
include the launching of a new series of Dispute Settlement Reports, co-published with CambridgeUniversity Press.WT/BFA/W/43
Page 6
Textiles Monitoring Body
Part Section Budget Expenditure Balance
A. Work years* Salary 301,600 301,603 (3)
Temporary assistance 0 555 (555)
0
B. Administrative 0
     Costs Communications 2,000 1,147 853
Permanent Equipment 1,500 1,500
Expendable Equipment 0 0 0
Contractual Services 0 0 0
0
C. Other costs Staff Overhead Costs 0
Missions 0
     Official 10,000 10,000
Technical Cooperation 0
Representation and 0
     Hospitality 22,000 14,099 7,901
Total 337,100 317,404 19,696
* including higher category staffWT/BFA/W/43
Page 7
Textiles Monitoring Body
The following information is provided on the realisation of 1999 objectives set out for the
Textiles Monitoring Body in document WT/BFA/W/27.
1. Ensuring the efficient functioning of the TMB by providing full service to it in carrying out
its tasks as defined in the Agreement on Textiles and Clothing (ATC)
In 1999, the TMB held 10 formal meetings, several of them lasting for two days or more.  All the
necessary preparations were made for these meetin gs, including through informal consultations, when
required.  Full service was provided during the meetings and the resulting follow-up work was done in
a timely manner.  Deliberations in the TMB were directed in a way that enabled the TMB to carry out
its tasks fully and efficiently.  All the issues referred to the TMB were addressed in accordance with
the relevant requirements of the ATC.  Out of the broad range of matters examined, particularmention should be made to disputes between WTO Members involving transitional safeguard
measures, two sets of such disputes being examined under the transitional safeguard provisions and
four others pursuant to an appeal-type provision of the ATC.  The TMB also reviewed several other
notifications and exercised surveillance of the implementation of the recommendations it had adopted.
2. Assisting the TMB in preserving and further increasing transparency on matters related to its
activities
All the dispute cases were examined with the participation of representatives of the WTO Members
involved, which enabled them to follow the whole process of the examination of the case, including
the adoption of the relevant conclusions and reco mmendations.  The quality of the TMB's reports was
further improved, in particular with respect to the dispute cases (these reports contain a detailed
summary of the arguments by the parties concerned;  a full description of the TMB's detailed
examination, including the rationale behind its findings, conclusions and recommendations).  All the
notifications addressed to the TMB, together with the reports adopted, were circulated to the WTOMembers, for their information.WT/BFA/W/43
Page 8
Finance and General Services Division
Part Section Budget Expenditure Balance
A. Work years* Salary 6,614,920 6,569,081 45,839
Temporary Assistance 651,000 838,332 (187,332)
B. Administrative
        Costs Communications 34,000 40,903 (6,903)
Permanent Equipment 54,000 57,495 (3,495)
Permanent Equipment
     (leases)605,000 604,756 244
Expendable Equipment 10,000 7,853 2,147
Office Automation 30,000 31,414 (1,414)
Contractual Services 174,000 129,784 44,216
C. Other Costs Staff Overhead Costs -
Missions -
     Official 12,000 11,655 345
     Technical Cooperation 0 0 0-
Representation and -
     Hospitality 1,000 998 2
Total 8,185,920 8,292,270 (106,350)
*Including higher category staffWT/BFA/W/43
Page 9
Finance and General Services Division
1. The cash flow of the organisation was ensured:
- Monthly payments of salary were effected for some 500 staff members (regular and
temporary) of the organization.
- Pensions and medical insurance premiums were collected and processed for the Pension Plan
of the WTO and Van Breda & Co. International respectively.
- Financial matters relating to missions (financed from regular budget or trust funds), such as
the processing of the PT8s and claims of voyages undertaken were managed.
- A total of CHF 121,895,237 of assessed contributions (advances, 1999 and previous years)
from Member countries to the WTO operating budget was received and processed.  Another
total of CHF 511,612 of assessed contributions (advances and 1999) from Observer countries
in respect to the services received from the Secretariat were also received and processed.
- Trust Funds totalling CHF (10,258,845) were received and processed.
2. The decentralized WTO regular budget and Trusts Funds were managed and monitored:
- The divisional budgets were prepared and provided to all Divisions and clarification were also
provided upon request.
- The Centre William Rappard was insured and maintained as appropriate and equipment,
furniture as well as general office supplies were bought and replaced according to the
approved allocation.
- Expenditures on Trust Funds projects were monitored.
- The Final Position Paper of the 1998 Budget as well as the Director-General’s Financial
Report on the 1998 Accounts were prepared and assistance was provided to the ExternalAuditors as required.
- The 2000 Budget Estimates were prepared.
3. Nine meetings of the Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration were organized and
related documents and reports were prepared.  A joint informal meeting of the Committee onBudget, Finance and Administration with th e Committee on Trade and Development was also
organized.
4. In co-operation with the other Divisions, assistance was provided to the host country holding the
1999 Ministerial Conference in its preparation for the event.WT/BFA/W/43
Page 10
Ministerial Session Divisions
Part Section Budget Expenditure Balance
A. Work years* Salary 554,910 517,000 37,910
Temporary Assistance 0 39,942 (39,942)
B. Administrative Communications 5,000 3,008 1,992
        Costs
C. Other Costs Staff Overhead Costs
Official Missions 15,000 2,198 12,802
Representation and
Hospitality 1,000 541 459
Total 575,910 562,688 13,222
*including higher category staff.WT/BFA/W/43
Page 11
Ministerial Session Divisions
1. This division was created in October 1998.  No 1999 objectives were therefore specified in
the 1998 budget process.
2. The division's mandate centres on the substantive aspects of the preparation and follow up to
Sessions of the Ministerial Conference.  In 1999 this meant organizing, servicing and co-ordinating
the General Council process, presided over by the Council Chairman, which was the membership's
chosen mode of preparation.  This process involved three phases:  identification of issues, submission
of proposals and discussion of drafts.  For the division it meant organizing and servicing all aspects of
53 meetings of the General Council (taking informal and formal meetings together) over the period
September 1998-November 1999.  In addition the di vision serviced some 55 smaller consultations
held in September-November 1999 by the Director-General or the Chairman, as well as a largenumber of bilateral meetings and internal co-ordination meetings.  In the absence of a Director-
General from 30 April until 1 September (and later in the case of his Deputies) this co-ordination role
imposed a heavy responsibility and workload on the di vision, which with four professional staff and
two secretaries is the second-smallest in the WTO.
3. The drafting and documentation work associated with this process was considerable.  Besides
preparing Chairman's Notes for each meeting and minutes of formal sessions the division arranged for
the circulation of over 280 working documents.  It produced, at Members' request, a compilation of
proposals, which was updated three times.
4. The division also co-ordinated the drafting of successive versions of a draft Ministerial
Declaration and related Working Papers.  This work, carried out in conjunction with other relevant
divisions, continued up to the end of the Seattle Ministerial.
5. The implementation dossier – a subject of particular importance before and at Seattle – was a
"horizontal" issue not falling within the remit of any single division.  MSD therefore assumed the
primary responsibility for advancing the work in this area.  The work done in this area continues to be
of relevance and value in the post-Seattle agenda.
6. With the US hosts, MSD also had a front-line role at Seattle, chiefly in helping to organise the
Ministerial Working Groups and in assisting the Director-General, as well as maintaining as far as
possible in the circumstances an overview of the negotiations.
7. The failure to reach agreement at Seattle was a severe disappointment to all the members of
this division as well as the other secretariat staff who had worked so hard with them.  The result in no
way detracts from their great efforts and dedication. As noted above, the work done and the
experience gained in 1999 continues to be of the utmost value as the division continues its work onthe post-Seattle agenda and looks towards the next Ministerial Session.WT/BFA/W/43
Page 12
Trade and Finance Division
Part Section Budget Expenditure Balance
A. Work years* Salary 762,510 708,515 53,995
Temporary Assistance 6,000 6,399 (399)
0
B. Administrative Communications 5,000 3,304 1,696
        Costs 0
0
C. Other Costs Staff Overhead Costs 0
Missions 0
     Official 13,000 32,483 (19,483)
0
Representation and 0
    Hospitality 1,000 362 638
Total 787,510 751,063 36,447
*Including higher category staff.WT/BFA/W/43
Page 13
The Trade and Finance Division did not appear in  the 1999 budget proposal document.  Using
our objectives as they appear in the 2000 budget as a guideline, therefore, the Division:
• serviced the WTO bodies responsible for subject areas falling within its responsibilities,
and kept management briefed of developments.
• serviced two dispute panels.
• provided technical assistance to delegations, including in the area of trade and investment
through regional and local seminars in collaboration with UNCTAD.
• deepened the Two’s co-operation with the IMF and World Bank, including through
exchanging information and advice, organizing joint seminars under the "Coherence"
mandate, participating in World Bank and IMF meetings of interest and significance to
the WTO.WT/BFA/W/43
Page 14
WTO Condominium
Part Section Budget Expenditure Balance
A. Work years* Salary 20,759,200 19,817,510 941,690
Temporary Assistance 295,850 221,238 74,612
B. Administrative
Costs Communications 1,322,000 1,238,070 83,930
Building Facilities 2,359,500 2,403,278 (43,778)
Permanent Equipment 990,500 1,018,844 (28,344)
Expendable Equipment 354,000 334,712 19,288
Contractual Services 266,000 316,145 (50,145)
-
C. Other Costs Staff Overhead Costs 55,500 78,564 76,936
Insurance 21,000 20,624 376
Missions
-
     Official 14,000  (20,631) 34,631
Representation and
     Hospitality 5,850 7,543  (1,693)
Miscellaneous 39,000 21,595 17,405
External Auditors 32,000 32,000 0
Ministerial 800,000 1,182,958  (382,958)
Unforeseen 100,000 100,000
ITC 14,207,700 14,207,700
-
Permanent Group ofExperts 53,050 - 53,050
     Bank Charges etc. 8,000 13,778  (5,778)
Total 41,783,150 40,893,928 889,222WT/BFA/W/43
Page 15
Intellectual Property and Investment Division
Part Section Budget Expenditure Balance
A. Work years Salary 1,329,610 1,281,780 47,830
Temporary Assistance 40,500 8,671 31,829
0
B. Administrative 0
        Costs Communications 6,000 5,720 280
Permanent Equipment
Expendable EquipmentContractual Services16,270
0014,923
001,347
00
C. Other Costs Staff Overhead Costs
Missions
   Official 40,000 40,999 (999)
   Technical Cooperation 0 0 0
Representation and
     Hospitality 1,000 403 597
Total 1,433,380 1,352,497 80,883
* including higher category staff.WT/BFA/W/43
Page 16
Intellectual Property Division
1. Intellectual Property
(i) Provide efficient service to the TRIPS Council and to dispute settlement panels that may
arise.
The TRIPS Council had four formal meetings during the course of 1999 as well as a number
of informal meetings.  Major Secretariat activities in this area included those in connection with the
processing of notifications and the review of national laws and regulations of a number of Members,
and the preparation of background studies for the Council, notably on electronic commerce,
non-violation cases, geographical indications and the provisions of Article 27.3(b).  During the courseof the year, the Division was involved in the servic ing of three dispute settlement panels in the TRIPS
area.
(ii) Maintain and, if possible, increase assistance to WTO Members through technical co-
operation, in particular in conjunction with WIPO, and through the provision ofinformation/advice more generally.
Division members participated in over 30 technical co-operation seminars and similar events.
Four of these events were organized jointly by the Division with WIPO or UPOV and another eight
were organized by WIPO with the participation of Division officers.  The Division was also heavilyinvolved in technical co-operation activities in Geneva itself, including in regard to the WTO training
courses, the WIPO Academy, visiting groups from developing countries and the usual discussions
with individual delegates or visiting of ficials as well as written correspondence.
(iii) Maintain and develop lines of communication with other intergovernmental organizations, the
NGO community, intellectual property practitioners and the academic community so that they
have an adequate understanding of the TRIPS Agreement and of the WTO processes.
The Division maintains close working relations with a range of intergovernmental
organizations including WIPO, UPOV, WCO, WHO, the CBD Secretariat, FAO, CGIAR, OIV,UNECE, UNAIDS, APEC and a number of regional intellectual property offices such as the EPO,
ARIPO and OAPI.  The Division is also increasingly called upon to interface with non-governmental
groups, both in Geneva and outside.  A particularly active area in this regard during the course of
1999 was in connection with the relationship of the TRIPS Agreement to public health.  The Division
also continues to keep in contact with the prac titioners community (such as AIPPI, FICPI, LESI,
INTA and various groups in the area of copyright), industry associations and the academic
community.
(iv) Contribute to other Secretariat activities relating to intellectual property rights, including the
General Council's work on preparations for the Third Ministerial and on electronic commerce,
trade and environment and accessions.
The Division assists and gives advice on IP matters to other parts of the Secretariat, notably
senior management and in connection with environmental matters, accessions, electronic commerce
and trade policy review.  The Division also contributed to the servicing of the preparations for and
conduct of the Seattle Ministerial Conference.WT/BFA/W/43
Page 17
2. Competition Policy
(i) Provide efficient service, with the help of the Rules Division, to any body successor to the
Working Group on the Interaction between Trade and Competition Policy.
Pursuant to a decision taken by the General Council in December 1999, the Working Group
on the Interaction between Trade and Competition Policy held three meetings during the year.  The
major Secretariat activities included the preparation of minutes and the drafting of the Group's Report
to the General Council as well as two analytical papers for consideration in the Group.
(ii) Provide technical cooperation, in conjunction with UNCTAD where appropriate, and
information/advice more generally to WTO Members.
The Secretariat organized two major Symposia for Geneva-based delegates on issues
concerning Competition Policy and the Multilateral Trading System.  These events were held with
financial support from, and participation by staff of, UNCTAD and the World Bank.  In addition, staff
participated in five regional seminars or similar events that were sponsored by intergovernmental andnon-governmental organizations or national governments, and responded to requests for information
and advice from a large number of Members.
(iii) Maintain and develop lines of communication with other intergovernmental organizations,
business, the NGO community, the academic world, etc.
The Division maintains close working relations with a range of intergovernmental
organizations with interests in competition policy, including UNCTAD, the World Bank and the
OECD.  In addition, lines of communication have been developed with a number of non-
governmental and business organizations with interests in this area.  A number of these groupsparticipated in a Symposium held at the WTO in September 1999 on the subject of Competition
Policy and the Multilateral Trading System:  A Dialogue with Civil Society.  Staff also participated in
academic seminars in Europe and North America, and maintained direct contacts with academics and
practitioners.
(iv) Contribute to other Secretariat activities on competition policy matters, including the General
Council's work on preparations for the Third Ministerial.
The Division provided advice to senior management regarding a range of competition policy
matters and contributed to the preparations for, and conduct of, the Seattle Ministerial Conference
with regard to the treatment of competition policy.
3. Government Procurement
(i) Provide efficient service to the Working Group on Transparency in Government Procurement.
The Working Group on Transparency in Government Procurement had three formal meetings
in 1999 and one informal meeting.  Noteworthy among Secretariat inputs was keeping up to date a
note listing the issues raised and points made.
(ii) Provide efficient service to the Committee established under the plurilateral Agreement on
Government Procurement and to dispute settlement panels that may arise.
The Committee on Government Procurement had two formal meetings in 1999.  Moreover,
five informal meetings were held to pursue the ne gotiations called for under Article XXIV:7 of the
Agreement, for which the Secretariat prepared a large number of background documents.  During theWT/BFA/W/43
Page 18
course of the year, the Division was involved in the servicing of one dispute settlement panel in the
area of government procurement as well as in facilitating the composition of another panel, whose
work was subsequently suspended.
(iii) Provide technical cooperation and information/advice more generally to WTO Members.
The staff participated in three technical cooperation seminars and similar events organized by
intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations.  The Division also contributed to technical
cooperation activities in Geneva, including in regard to the WTO training courses, visiting groups
from developing countries and the usual discussions with individual delegates or visiting officials as
well as written correspondence.
(iv) Maintain and develop lines of communication with other intergovernmental organizations,
business, the NGO community, the academic world, etc.
The Division maintains close working relations with a range of intergovernmental
organizations including the World Bank, OE CD, ADB, IADB and APEC.  The Division also
continues to keep in contact with the procurement community, non-governmental organizations,lawyers associations, trade unions and the academic community.
(v) Cooperate with other parts of the Secretariat on government procurement matters, including in
respect of the General Council's work on preparations for the Third Ministerial.
The Division assists and gives advice on government procurement matters to other parts of
the Secretariat, notably senior management and in connection with Working Party on GATS Rules,
electronic commerce and trade policy review.  The Division also contributed to the servicing of the
preparations for and the conduct of the Seattle Ministerial Conference.WT/BFA/W/43
Page 19
Legal Affairs Division
Part Section Budget Expenditure Balance
A. Work years* Salary 1,520,750 1,377,146 143,604
Temporary Assistance 7,500 22,214 (14,714)
0
B. Administrative 0
        Costs Communications 9,000 9,376 (376)
Permanent Equipment
Expendable EquipmentContractual Services5,000
004,420
00580
00
C. Other Costs Staff Overhead Costs 0
Missions
   Official 10,000 1,829 8,171
   Technical Cooperation 0 0 0
Representation and
     Hospitality 1,000 0 1,000
Miscellaneous 0 0 0
     Panels 515,000 1,195,276 (678,276)
Total 2,068,250 2,610,261 (542,011)
*including higher category staff.WT/BFA/W/43
Page 20
Legal affairs
1. As a preliminary matter, it should be noted that it is very difficult – if not impossible – to
meaningfully quantify  the extent to which we attained the objectives for our division.  Given the
nature of our work, the assessment of goal achievement in Legal Affairs is by necessity a qualitative
and, to some extent, a subjective one.
2. We consider that we have fully achieved our "Objectives for 1999" as set out on page 73 of
the "1999 Budget Estimates" (WT/BFA/W/27), attached.
3. More specifically, the Legal Affairs staff have properly and comprehensively carried out the
"Legal Affairs Functions" set out in sub-paragraphs (i) through (vii), the "Depository Functions" set
out in sub-paragraph (viii), and the "Work Programme for 1999".
4. The only area in which it could be said that we were not always able to meet our objectives in
a timely manner was that of issuance and circulation of panel reports.  Here, Legal Affairs frequently
faced an overload of simultaneously active panel cases and/or an overburdened translation service that
was unable to prepare translations of the panel reports within the tight time-frames of the DSU.
Legal Affairs Division
Objectives for 1999
Legal Affairs Functions
(i)  provide timely secretarial and technical support and assistance on legal, historical and
procedural aspects of disputes to  WTO dispute settlement panels;
(ii) provide regular legal advice to the Secretariat, and in particular to the Dispute  Settlement Body
and its Chairman, on interpretation of the Disp ute Settlement Understanding (DSU) and WTO
agreements and on other legal issues;
(iii)  provide legal information to WTO Members on the DSU and WTO agreements;(iv)  provide legal support in respect of accessions, and in particular that of China;(v)  provide training in respect of dispute set tlement procedures and on WTO legal issues through
special courses on dispute settlement, regula r WTO training courses and WTO technical
cooperation missions; attend meetings of other organizations with WTO-related activities (e.g.,
IMF, OECD, Energy Charter);
(vi) prepare DS documentation series;(vii)  maintain and supervise further developmen t of the WTO Dispute Settlement Database, and
provide resulting data and analyses to the Secr etariat and Members; prepare analytical indices
on the DSU, GATT 1994 and the WTO Agreement; update "Status of Legal Instruments", and
Depository Functions(viii)  perform the depository functions of the Director-General.WT/BFA/W/43
Page 21
Work Programme for 1999
The principal mission of the Legal Affairs Division is to provide legal advice and information to
WTO dispute settlement panels, other WTO bodies, WTO Members, the WTO Secretariat and members
of the public.  The work of the Di vision is almost totally responsive.  Thus, for the most part, the
Division's Work Programme for 1999 will be to respond for requests for advice and information asdescribed under (i), (ii) and (iii) above.
The Division will prepare necessary DS series documents during the year and maintain the
Dispute Settlement Database, as well as prepare an d/or update analytical indices for the DSU, WTO
Agreement and GATT 1994 and the Status of Legal Instruments.
The Division will participate as requested in  training courses and technical cooperation
missions.
The Division will continue to support the working party on the accession of China.
Estimates of work hours per year allocated to technical assistance activities:  800WT/BFA/W/43
Page 22
Trade in Services Division
Part Section Budget Expenditure Balance
A. Work years* Salary 1,747,950 1,604,066 143,884
Temporary Assistance 116,500 49,608 66,892
B. Administrative
        Costs Communications 12,000 9,810 2,190
Permanent Equipment 94,600 77,075 17,525
Expendable Equipment 0 0 0
Contractual Services 11,700 19,944 (8,244)
0
C. Other Costs Staff Overhead Costs 0
Missions 0
   Official 34,000 21,829 12,171
   Technical Cooperation 0 0 0
Representation and
     Hospitality 1,000 973 27
Total 2,017,750 1,783,304 234,446
*including higher category staffWT/BFA/W/43
Page 23
Trade in Services
The activities of the Trade in Services Division in pursuit of its 1999 objectives may be
summarised as follows.
1.  Support for the Services Council and Subsidiary Bodies
Council for Trade in Services:- Completion of the series of 21 background papers on service sectors for the information
exchange exercise, and production of two papers for the assessment of trade in services
mandated by Article XIX.
- Contribution to the drafting of guidelines and procedures for the new services round.
- Continuation of the work programme on electronic commerce, including the drafting of
documents and reports.
- Consultations and drafting on a cooperation agreement with the ITU, the draft of which was
approved by the Services Council in March.
- Commenced preparations, including documentation, for the Council's mandated reviews of
MFN exemptions, the Annex on Air Transport and the Understanding on Accounting Rates inBasic Telecommunications.
- Follow-up work on the ratification and the acceptance of commitments under the Fourth and
Fifth Protocols to the GATS.
- Briefing Chairman and delegations on these and other issues on the Council's agenda and
coordinating the Council's work programme.
Committee on Specific Commitments:
- Producing revisions and analysis on the elaboration of procedures for the modification of
schedules under Article XXI of the GATS.
- Production of a series of analytical papers on the Central Product Classification of services, in
addition to papers on classification issues raised on specific sectors in the exchange of
information exercise.
- Production of consolidated schedules of services commitments in electronic form.  The
purpose of this exercise is to consolidate each Member's national commitments in a single
document which can be read and manipulated electronically.  The treaty copies will remain
the only legally binding version.  The electronic schedules will be available within the nextfew months, and are expected to be a useful tool for negotiators.  They will also be available
for sale to the public on CD ROM.
- Production of analytical papers for the Committee's work on revision of the guidelines for the
scheduling of services commitments.
Committee on Financial Services:WT/BFA/W/43
Page 24
- Assistance to the Chairman and the Committee on the acceptance and implementation of the
Fifth Protocol to the GATS, comprising of the results of the Financial Services negotiations.
Working Party on Domestic Regulation:- Production of analytical papers for the working party on the establishment of disciplines on
Domestic Regulation applying to all professional services or to services generally.
- Preparation for consultations with other international organizations on the application of
horizontal disciplines to professional services.
Working Party on GATS Rules:
- Support for negotiations on emergency safeguard measures, which have been extended until
15 December 2000.  Provision of analytical papers including a synthesis of the issues arising.
- Provision of background material on public procurement of services.
- Analytical work and consultations on subsidies.
2  Accessions and Regional Trade Agreements
- The Division has contributed to the examination of regional trade agreements from the
services view point and has advised a number of acceding countries on the formulation of
schedules of commitments on services.
3.  Technical Assistance
- A great deal of the division's resources have been devoted to technical assistance.  Some thirty
technical assistance missions were carried out in 1999 and an estimated 20 per cent of the
time of division members in the office was also spent on technical assistance activities.
4.  Notifications
- Apart from processing notifications received the division has assisted delegations in
formulating their notifications, particularly when  they relate to complex regulatory issues.
5.  Dispute Settlement
- Participation in all matters arising in dispute settlement which relate to the GATS.  In 1999
carried out work on the Auto Pact Dispute – advising the panel, producing papers on legal
issues and drafting GATS-related findings.
6.  Expanding Knowledge of Service Sectors
- Notably in the course of preparing sectional background papers, the division has considerably
expanded its knowledge of the major service sectors.  This has entailed increasing
involvement with other international organizations, industry associations and regulators.
Cooperation with other international organizations, in particular has increased greatly as a
result of their growing interest in the prospect of the new services round.WT/BFA/W/43
Page 25
Personnel Division
Part Section Budget Expenditure Balance
A. Work years* Salary 1,350,390 1,314,176 36,214
Temporary Assistance 453,000 402,865 50,135
B. Administrative
        Costs Communications 8,000 8,316 (316)
Permanent Equipment 8,200 7,829 371
Expendable Equipment 0 0 0
Contractual Services 0 0 0
C. Other Costs Staff Overhead Costs 0
Missions
   Official 35,000 36,236 (1,236)
  Technical Cooperation 0 0 0
Representation and
     Hospitality 1,000 217 783
Miscellaneous
    Training 360,000 315,703 44,297
    Insurance 971,000 988,314 (17,314)
    UN Bodies 478,500 379,377 99,123
Total 3,665,090 3,453,034 212,056
*Including higher category staffWT/BFA/W/43
Page 26
Personnel
Fill vacancies: 14 external vacancies and 42 internal vacancies were filled in 1999.
Develop personnel policies
(a) Comprehensive personnel policy adopted (Administrative Memorandum 925)
(b) Recommendations on performance pay:  development initiated
(c) Revised smoking policy
(d) Short-term staff rules promulgated
(e) Local/non-local recruitment guidelines adopted
Training carried out:
(a) language
(b) information technology
(c) skills training
(d) pre-retirement course
(e) first aid training for relevant staff
Administration and counselling of staff: ongoing tasks
Salary and pension system:
The WTO-specific salary and pension arrangements were introduced on 1 January 1999.  The
relevant provisions of the new Staff Regulations were fully reflected in the payroll as of that
date.  The Management Board of the Pension Plan was established in April 1999 and focusedits efforts on the definition and launching of th e investment strategy for the Plan.  Assets were
recovered from the UNJSPF in two phases, in January (~85%) and August 1999.  By the end
of August 1999, approximately 60% of the asse ts had been invested.  The balance was held
on short-term deposit pending full implementation of the strategy in 2000.  Work on the
development of a performance pay system continued throughout 1999, with a view toimplementation in 2000.WT/BFA/W/43
Page 27
Agriculture and Commodities Division
Part Section Budget Expenditure Balance
A. Work years* Salary 1,794,730 1,745,207 49,523
Temporary Assistance 0 1,807 (1,807)
0
B. Administrative 0
        Costs Communications 7,000 8,566 (1,566)
Permanent Equipment 16,150 13,335 2,815
Expendable Equipment 0 15 (15)
Contractual Services 250 345 (95)
0
C. Other Costs Staff Overhead Costs 0
Missions 0
   Official 40,000 28,103 11,897
   Technical Cooperation 0 0 0
Representation and 0
     Hospitality 1,000 0 1,000
Total 1,859,130 1,797,379 61,751
*including higher category staff.WT/BFA/W/43
Page 28
Agriculture and Commodities Division
Objective 1:  Actively contribute to the effective implementation of the WTO commitments on
agriculture.
In 1999, the Division serviced, in close cooperation with the Chairman, four regular meetings
of the Committee on Agriculture. Related work include d a wide range of activities, such as frequent
advise to the Chairman and delegations on procedural and substantive matters concerning the work of
the Committee; the preparation of a Secretariat paper on notification issues; the processing and
issuing of 196 agriculture notifications by Member s; the preparation of 12 room documents, a series
of other Committee-related documents and 4 Committee reports; drafting of Chairman statements;
preparation of the annual report of the Committee;  several informal consultations with delegations
etc.
The Division also serviced 3 informal Committee meetings under the Process of Analysis and
Information Exchange, including the preparatory and follow-up work. In terms of substantive
contributions, it updated and revised 8 Secretariat papers and produced a voluminous new paper on
tariff treatment of products of special interest to developing countries.
Objective 2:    Actively contribute to the implementation of the SPS Agreement
The Division serviced 3 formal meetings of the SPS Committee, 8 informal meetings, 3
special consultations on Article 5.5 of the Agreement and 1 special meeting on transparency. In thiscontext the Division, inter alia ,  drafted the report on the review of the operation and implementation
of the SPS Agreement; drafted 7 informal papers on guidelines on consistency (Art. 5.5); developed
and issued questionnaires on technical assistance for developing countries, on SPS related web-sites
and on the operation of SPS Enquiry Points and National Notification Authorities; prepared slide
presentations on transparency; issued 431 SPS notifications and many other Committee documentsetc.
Objective 3: Support for the implementation of the Ministerial Decision on Net Food-Importing
Developing Countries
The Division assisted in the annual monitoring exercise of the Decision by the Committee on
Agriculture, including by producing a paper  (plus two updates and extensions) on actions taken to
implement the Decision which served as the basis for this exercise. On several occasions, it provided
advise to net food- importing developing countries related to the implementation of the Decision.
Objective 4: Assist in the preparatory process for the Seattle Ministerial
The Division assisted in the process which eventually resulted in the draft text on agriculture
and the section on agriculture and SPS of the draft text on implementation, both in the course of the
Geneva process and at Seattle.
Objective 5: Provide effective services for dispute settlement
The Division provided the Secretary to, and assisted otherwise, the panels on Korea-Beef (
complaints by the United States and Australia) , EC-Hormones Art. 22.6 (complaints by the United
States and Canada), Australian-Salmon (recourse to Art. 21.5 by Canada), EC-bananas (three cases:
recourse to Art. 22.6 by the EC; recourse to Art. 21.5 by the EC; recourse to Art. 21.5 by Ecuador),and Canada-Dairy Products (complaints by the United  States and New Zealand). It assisted the panel
on US-Foreign Sales Corporati ons (complaint by the EC).WT/BFA/W/43
Page 29
Objective 6: Provide technical assistance and cooperation
The Division responded to numerous specific requests from Geneva-based delegations and
capitals for technical assistance, for example in regard to the preparation of notifications under  the
Agreements on Agriculture and SPS; on specific implementation problems; on explanations of
particular WTO provisions; on WTO procedures; on market access and subsidy information; and onaccession documents. It made eight times presentations in the framework of the  WTO Trade Policy
Courses. The Division conducted, or participated in, 34 technical assistance missions to Asia, Africa
and Latin America (national or regional seminars and workshops), requiring also the preparation of
event-specific teaching and presentational material.
Objective 7: Support senior management and other Divisions .
As every year, significant resources had to be devoted to support of senior management and
the work of other Divisions (briefings, substantive inputs into documents prepared by other Divisions,
comments, administrative matters etc.).
Objective 8: Cooperation with other intergovernmental organisations and the private sector
Throughout the year, the Division responded to requests for information etc. from other
international organisations and the private sector. It  participated in and made presentations at 23
international meetings, conferences or workshops (it turned down 94 invitations, in many cases for
lack of staff rather than lack of interest).WT/BFA/W/43
Page 30
Market Access Division
Part Section Budget Expenditure Balance
A. Work years* Salary 1,367,620 1,292,818 74,802
Temporary Assistance 4,500 6,706 (2,206)
0
B. Administrative 0
     Costs Communications 10,000 10,471 (471)
Permanent Equipment 8,500 10,085 (1,585)
Expendable Equipment 0 150 (150)
Contractual Services 2,500 661 1,839
0
C. Other Costs Staff Overhead Costs 0
Missions 0
Official 45,000 28,121 16,879
Technical Cooperation 0 0 0
Representation and
Hospitality 1,000 661 339
Total 1,439,120 1,349,673 89,447
* including higher category staffWT/BFA/W/43
Page 31
Committee on Rules of Origin
Objective: Service the Committ ee on Rules of Origin and carry out the harmonization of
rules of origin
The Committee on Rules of Origin (CRO), in order to carry out the Harmonization Work
Programme on non-preferential rules of origin (HWP), has held six meetings.  The Division provided
services to the CRO and provided information and services to delegations.  A member of the Division
attended all meetings of the WCO Technical Committee on Rules of Origin which has held two
meetings.
Council for Trade in Goods
Objective: Service the CTG
The CTG held four formal meetings during 1999 which covered routine matters.  It also held
three informal meetings on trade facilitation and the Secretariat organized a half-day seminar for
delegations.  A status report on work conducted since Singapore (G/L/333) was submitted to theGeneral Council.  Under the work programme on e-commerce the CTG, in informal session,
examined and reported on matters relevant to GATT 1994.
Committee on Customs Valuation
Objective: Monitor and review annually the implementation of the Customs Valuation
Agreement
1. During 1999, the Committee examined the implementing legislation of 14 Members;  it
reviewed the invocation of special and differential treatment provisions for 4 Members and foranother 12 Members who requested either extensions of transition periods or derogations for
minimum values.  Concerning the latter, Members of the Committee engaged in consultations to
determine the terms and conditions under which these requests would be granted.  The Committee
monitored compliance of these terms and conditions for another 2 Members.
Objective: Provide service to the Committee on Customs Valuation
2. During 1999, the Secretariat provided service to three formal meetings of the Committee
(on 26/4, on 4/10, and on 12, 25/11 and 17/12).  This included preparing all the background
documents, chair notes, consulting among Members, minutes of the meetings, etc.
Objective: Attend meetings, twice annually, of the WCO Technical Committee on Customs
Valuation in Brussels
3. The Secretariat attended the Technical Committee meetings on 22-26/3/99 and on 22-
26/11/99.
Objective: Organize, manage WTO Programme  for technical assistance on Customs
Valuation for developing countries that have invoked the five-year delay period
4. The Secretariat carried out this objective during 1999 under which 23 missions were carried
out (13 more than in 1998).
Objective: Cooperate, where necessary, with th e WCO Secretariat on providing technical
assistance to developing countries having requested a 5-year delay in the
implementation of the AgreementWT/BFA/W/43
Page 32
5. Two joint technical assistance missions were carried with the WCO during 1999.
Committee on Import Licensing
Objective: Monitor and review the implementa tion and operation of the Agreement on
Import Licensing Procedures;  provide service to  the Committee on Import Licensing; provide
information and advice on matters relating to import licensing.
During 1999, the Secretariat provided service to two formal meetings of the Committee (29
April and 21 October).  This included preparing the related documents, including Chair notes, reports
of the meetings, annual report to the Council for Trade in Goods and 68 notifications submitted under
various provisions of the Agreement by 49 Members.  The Secretariat also provided information andadvice to acceding countries, delegations, private parties and other Divisions in the Secretariat on
matters relating to import licensing.
Committee on Market Access
Objective: Supervise the implementation of the Uruguay Round concessions
- Any Member may raise at the meetings of the Committee an issue pertaining to the lack of
implementation by another Member of a Uruguay Round concession.
Objective:  Timely notifications of Quantitative Restrictions
- The Chairman continually urges Members to comply with their notification obligations.
Objective: Provision of trade and tariff info rmation by Members to the Integrated Data
Base
- Following intensive consultations at the beginning of 1999, the Committee on 1 June 1999
agreed on the dissemination policies of the Integrated Data Base.  It was also agreed, at that time, that
a review would be undertaken prior to 1 June 2000 in order to determine whether the level ofparticipation in the IDB had fallen substantially below the levels existing on 1 June 1999.  If so "…
access to the IDB data will be temporarily suspended until adequate participation is secured again,
unless other steps considered appropriate by Members are agreed."
Objective: Completion and implementation of  the loose-leaf schedules on goods and the
development of an electronic verification process
- As a first step towards achieving these objectives, the Committee agreed in November 1998
to set up a Consolidated Tariff Schedules Database, the objective of which is to have a database
containing the consolidated tariff schedules of all Members.  The deadline for completion of the
processing of schedules for the database is 31 March 2000.
Objective: Introduction and verifi cation of the changes in the HS
- The Committee has been and continues to hold consultations to see how the HS96
transposition exercise may be expedited.  The discussions have proven fruitful, but further
consultations will be required.WT/BFA/W/43
Page 33
Objective: Procedural issues id entified with respect to modi fications and rectifications of
schedules
- Informal discussions held in the early part of 1999 with respect to these issues were not
conclusive and will need to be pursued.
Objective:  Establishment of a closer working relationship with the WCO
- A "Memorandum of Understanding" (MOU) with the World Customs Organization (WCO) is
currently the subject of discussion in the General Council.
Committee of Participants on the Expansion of Trade in Information Technology Products
Objective:  Service the Committee of Participan ts on the Expansion of Trade in Information
Technology Products
During 1999, the Committee of Participants on the Expansion of Trade in Information
Technology Products held 5 formal meetings which concerned the following issues:  overview of theimplementation of the agreement, review of classification divergences, review of the product
description of monitors, consultations on non-tariff trade barriers, the addition of new participants,
and a review of the product coverage.  In addition to this ongoing work the Committee also decided to
hold a symposium, which was unforeseen at the time the 1999 objectives were prepared, and which
was held in July 1999.
Objective:  Provide technical assistance and information to acceding participants
Technical assistance was provided by the Secretariat to interested countries who wished to
become participants; this mainly involved th e technical preparation of their ITA schedules.
Objective:  Review the implementation of the ITA
See the first objective; the Committee reviewed the status of implementation at every meeting
during the year.  The information is provided in the revisions of document G/IT/1.
Objective:  Continue the work, technical and oth erwise, with respect to non-tariff barriers and
classification issues
During 1999 the Committee examined a proposal for a work programme on non-tariff
measures.  In addition, two national experience papers were submitted to the Committee.  The
Committee continues its work in this area with a view to establishing a work programme in this areain 2000.
Objective:  For ITA II, provide support for the negotiations and the follow-up.  Design a
template to be used for schedules and electronic verification of schedules
The ongoing review of product coverage (ITA II) did not culminate in an agreement in 1999,
and thus there was no need to prepare schedules, however consultations continuedWT/BFA/W/43
Page 34
Rules Division
Part Section Budget Expenditure Balance
A. Work years* Salary 1,386,670 1,361,131 25,539
Temporary Assistance 30,500 40,683 (10,183)
0
B. Administrative 0
        Costs Communications 16,000 14,002 1,998
Permanent Equipment 4,000 3,915 85
Expendable Equipment 0 0 0
Contractual Services 0 0 0
C. Other Costs Staff Overhead Costs
Missions
   Official 20,000 10,254 9,746
   Technical Cooperation 0 0 0
Representation and
     Hospitality 1,000 753 247
Miscellaneous 0 0 0
P a n e l s 000
Total 1,458,170 1,430,738 27,432
*Including higher category staff.WT/BFA/W/43
Page 35
Rules Division
Realisation of Objectives for 1999
In 1999, the staff of the Rules Division serviced some 30 formal and informal meetings of the
ten main and subsidiary bodies within its area of competence,1 including preparing documents, draft
agendas, and minutes of meetings, as well as consulting with Chairmen and delegations on matters
concerning the work of these bodies.  In addition to continuing with the ongoing work of these bodies,
the Division assisted with the review of Articles 6.1, 8 and 9 of the SCM Agreement mandated by
Article 31 of the Agreement, including numerous cons ultations and informal meetings.  Division staff
assisted in drafting of the Illustrative List of State-Trading Enterprises, which was approved by the
Council for Trade in Goods in October 1999.  Two draft recommendations prepared by Division staff
at the direction of Members were considered in the Ad Hoc Group on Implementation; a consensus onthese has yet to be reached.  The Supplemental Report of the Informal Group of Experts on guidelines
for Article 6.1(a) subsidy calculations was completed by Division staff at the direction of the
members of the Group, and taken note of by the SCM Committee. An update of the product coverage
annex to the Agreement prepared by Division staff at the direction of the Committee on Trade in Civil
Aircraft was circulated to Signatories for review.
The Rules Division was heavily involved in preparations for the Seattle Ministerial
Conference.  Among the key issues of the Conference were whether the AD and CSM Agreements
would be part of a new Round.  The Division also sh ared responsibility for management of the issue
of fisheries subsidies.  In addition, there were numerous implementation proposals in the areas ofantidumping, subsidies and safeguards.  The Division serviced consultations among Members,
analysed proposals, advised management, assisted Members to develop approaches regarding
implementation (where a variety of proposals concerning immediate decisions on rules areas issues
were developed), and contributed to the draft Ministerial Declaration.  Two Members of the Division
attended the Conference.  Members of the Division also attended, as observers, meetings of theOECD Joint Group on Trade and Competition and the Participants Group of the Understanding on
Exports Credits.
The Division continued its active programme of implementation and technical assistance, and
providing expert advice to delegations and national administrations in the area of contingent trade
remedies.  As servicing dispute settlement panels took over an increasing portion of the Division's
workload, the Division was obliged to scale back the number and scope of its specific projects in this
regard. Nonetheless:
Division staff responded to between 15 and 20 requests monthly for specific, detailed advice
on issues arising in the implementation and administration of anti-dumping, countervailing, and
safeguards mechanisms.  In addition, staff responded to several requests per month for advice onfulfilment of notification obligations, relating to both procedural and substantive issues in the
notification of subsidy programmes, state trading enterprises, and contingent trade remedy actions.
Staff also provided advice to countries in the process of accession concerning their obligations under
the Agreements within the Division's area of competence, including the separate process of accession
to the plurilateral agreement on Trade in Civil Aircraft.
                                                     
1 The bodies serviced by the Rules Division are:  Committee on Anti-Dumping Practices, Committee
on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures, Committee on Safeguards, Committee on Trade in Civil Aircraft,
Working Party on State Trading, Informal Group of Experts on the Calculation of Subsidies under Article 6.1 ofthe Subsidies Agreement, Permanent Group of Experts, Informal Group on Anti-Circumvention, Ad Hoc Groupon Implementation of the Agreement on Anti-Dumping, Working Party on Subsidies Notifications, andWorking Group on Trade and Competition (co-secretary).WT/BFA/W/43
Page 36
In the area of implementation assistance to individual countries, Division staff assisted in
preparing and/or reviewed draft legislations of Cuba, Latvia, Malaysia, Mongolia, Morocco and
Tunisia regarding contingent trade remedies.  Division staff undertook missions to Cuba, Latvia,
Mongolia, Saudi Arabia, and Tunisia to assist national authorities in this regard.
Two advanced regional training seminars, on injury issues and on dumping margin
calculations, were organized and conducted by Division staff, in cooperation with the IADB, in
Mexico City and Buenos Aires, respectively, and a regional seminar on Trade and Competition Policy
was organized and conducted by Division staff, in cooperation with the ADB, in Chiang Mai.  The
Division also organized and conducted a regional tr aining programme on subsidies in Budapest for
economies in transition.
1. Members of the Division lectured on anti-dumping, subsidies and countervailing measures, and
safeguards at two training courses in the United States, organized by the OAS for its member-states, and on those subjects as well as state-trading enterprises at a regional training programme
in Islamabad, conducted in cooperation with the Islamic Development Bank for its Asian
members.
2. Division staff served as lecturers in the WTO Trade Policy Courses on anti-dumping, subsidies
and countervailing measures, safeguards, and state-trading, presenting some 12 lectures in thiscontext.  Division staff also spoke more briefly on these topics and on notification obligations, at
the request of the Technical Cooperation Division, to visiting delegations from Members' capitals
and countries in accession, as well as to individual representatives of Members, and via video-
conferencing to groups meeting elsewhere.
3. Division staff continued work on the Handbook for anti-dumping administrators, and on the
divisional data-bases on anti-dumping and countervailing actions.
4. Members of the Division contributed to the preparation of the forthcoming new edition of the
Analytical Index.
A major and steadily increasing proportion of the Division's workload is related to dispute settlement.
On average, about half of all WTO dispute settlement panels are in the Rules area.  Division staffserved as secretary and legal officer to 14 panels established or operating during 1999, served as legal
officer to one panel, served as secretary to two panels, and assisted another division on issues within
the Division's competence in one dispute.  The work  of these panels involved more than 30 meetings
with panellists and with parties, most of which extended over several days, and the preparation of
numerous memoranda concerning various issues to be considered and resolved and drafting andpreparation of descriptive parts and reports, as requested by the panellists.  Reports were issued in the
Panels involving the United States-Foreign Sales Corporations , United States-Steel Bars , Canada-
Aircraft , Brazil-Aircraft , Australia-Leather , Mexico-High Fructose Corn Syrup ( issued Jan. 2000 due
to translation), Korea-Dairy Safeguards , Argentina-Footwear  Safeguards , Canada-Autos , and
Canada-Dairy .  Work was also begun on the Panels considering implementation of the reports in
Canada-Aircraft , Brazil-Aircraft , and Australia-Leather , as well as Panels considering United States-
Wheat Gluten Safeguard , United Sates-Lamb Safeguard , Thailand-Steel Beams , United States-
Stainless Steel , and Guatemala-Cement II , and continued in 2000.WT/BFA/W/43
Page 37
Development Division
Part Section Budget Expenditure Balance
A. Work years* Salary 1,045,870 988,132 57,738
Temporary Assistance 3,000 21,183 (18,183)
0
B. Administrative 0
        Costs Communications 7,000 7,828 (828)
Permanent Equipment 0 0 0
Expendable Equipment 0 0 0
Contractual Services 0 0 0
C. Other Costs Staff Overhead Costs
Missions
   Official 20,000 15,740 4,260
   Technical Cooperation 0 0 0
Representation and
     Hospitality 1,000 923 77
Total 1,076,870 1,033,806 43,064
*Including higher category staff.WT/BFA/W/43
Page 38
Development Division
Objectives for 1999
(i) Efficient servicing of the Committee on Trade and Development and its Sub-Committee and the
Committee on Regional Trade Agreements;
(ii) Contribute effectively to senior management and secretariat-wide activities involving subject
areas covered by the division;
(iii) Develop a comprehensive, accessible database on regional trade agreements and initiatives;(iv) Strengthen cooperation with other inter-govern mental organisations engaged in work on subject
areas covered by the division, such as UNCTAD.
Achievement of objectives
During 1999, the Committee on Trade and Development met five times in formal session and
several times informally; the Sub-Committee on Least-Developed Countries held four formalmeetings and one informal.  The main themes discussed in the Committee were  the application of
special provisions in the Multilateral Trade Agreemen ts  in favour of developing countries, especially
least-developed countries;  concerns and problems  of small economies;  development dimensions of
trade facilitation and of electronic commerce;  technical assistance and training;  possible input by the
CTD to the 3rd Ministerial Conference.  The Committee also agreed on a waiver on "Preferential
Tariff Treatment for Least-Developed Countries", which was adopted by the General Council in June
1999.  The Sub-Committee dealt with three main subjects:  follow-up to the 1997 High-Level Meeting
on Integrated Initiatives for Least-Developed Countries' Trade Development; market access forproducts originating in least-developed countries;  and difficulties faced by LDCs in implementing the
Uruguay Round Agreements.  The Division produced  a number of background papers as inputs to
these meetings.
The Committee on Regional Trade Agreements held four formal meetings and a large number
of informal sessions. Its annual report to the General Council stated that "The Committee has made
substantial headway in the factual examination of a number of RTAs, but has been unable to finalizereports on any of these examinations.  Progress in this regard was slowed, inter alia , by disagreement
among Members on the interpretation of certain elements of those rules relating to RTAs, as well as
on procedural aspects.  Similarly, the Committee is not in a position to make recommendations to the
General Council  under item (d) of its terms of reference" (systemic implications of RTAs for the
multilateral trading system).  By the end of 1999, the Committee had under review 72 regional trade
agreements.
In addition to these Committee-related activities, the Division also serviced a seminar on
Electronic Commerce and Development, held in  February 1999;  the High-Level Symposium on
Trade and Development, held in March 1999;  two seminars, the first concerning regional trade
agreements and their impact on the multilateral trad ing system, held with the participation of World
Bank and IMF staff, and the second on developing countries' interests in a new Round, held withWorld Bank staff;  and, in cooperation with th e Technical Cooperation Division, the first "Geneva
Week" for WTO Members without missions in Geneva.  A large number of briefing notes were
prepared for the Director-General for visits to WTO Members.   Members of the Division staff
attended a considerable number of  meetings of other organizations on trade and development issues,
including regional and inter-regional seminars held under UNCTAD auspices in preparation for the3
rd Ministerial Conference, and conducted a number of  technical assistance missions on development
issues and regional trade agreements..  During the year, one member of the Division staff was given
additional responsibilities as Co-ordinator for activities relating to least-developed countries.WT/BFA/W/43
Page 39
Technical Cooperation
Part Section Budget Expenditure Balance
A. Work years* Salary 2,297,630 2,142,167 155,463
Temporary Assistance 58,000 187,814 (129,814)
0
B. Administrative 0
        Costs Communications 26,000 25,874 126
Permanent Equipment 29,800 24,448 5,352
Expendable Equipment 0 2,357 (2,357)
Contractual Services 4,000 3,837 163
0
C. Other Costs Staff Overhead Costs 0
Missions 0
   Official
  Technical Cooperation 716,000 664,975 51,025
Representation and 0
     Hospitality 1,000 465 535
Total 3,132,430 3,051,938 80,492
*Including higher category staffWT/BFA/W/43
Page 40
Technical Cooperation Division
Following is information on the realization of objectives for 1999:
In pursuance of the Guidelines and Implementation Modalities for WTO Technical
Assistance, the WTO Secretariat provides technical assistance upon demand and on the basis of therolling 3-year plan. In 1999, 382 technical cooperation activities were executed representing a 24%
increase over 1998. Since a number of these activities took place at the sub-regional or regional level,
the total number of activities from which each individual country benefited is in reality a multiple of
the number of activities executed.  In this context, it is worth mentioning that the number of short
trade policy courses organized in 1999 increased to four from two in 1998.
Of the activities executed in 1999, over 41% were fully organized by WTO and an additional
22% organized in cooperation with other institutions. In all of the activities in which the WTO
participated, documentation was shipped from Geneva in advance and made available to participants.
In addition, TCD took care of the full logistics, including participants' flight bookings, air tickets,
accommodation, per-diem and insurance for 26 regional and sub-regional activities with a total of
over 500 participants.
Close coordination took place with other international and regional organizations, in
particular in the case of the Joint ITC/UNCTAD/WTO Technical Assistance Programme for selected
LDCs and other African countries (JITAP) a nd the Integrated Framework for LDC's trade
development. During 1999, around 40 activities were organized for the benefit of the eight countriesthat are presently covered by JITAP. Most of these activities involved training and concerned issues
related to the implementation of WTO Agreements.
Information technology tools have been increasingly used to enhance the delivery of WTO
technical cooperation.  The most obvious application is the use of e-mail to facilitate exchange ofinformation, but other applications are worth men tioning: distance learning, video-conferencing and
on-line fora. A WTO training package in electronic form was developed to extend the outreach of
explanation and understanding of WTO Agreements .  In 1999, video-conferencing was used in some
activities and a pilot session was conducted in collaboration with the World Bank to link
simultaneously four African capitals to Geneva and review notification requirements. In 1999, fouron-line fora were organized and several government officials of developing countries participated in
these topical discussions. In addition, the WTO of ficial web-site and the Trade and Development
web-site jointly initiated by the WTO and the World Bank continued to provide useful information to
interested parties.
The establishment of WTO Reference Centres in developing countries and in particular, in
least developed countries  has contributed to improved information flows between the WTOSecretariat and capital-based officials. WTO Reference Centres have expanded to cover sixty-eight
countries as at end of December 1999. All African least-developed country Members and observers,
with only one exception due to political instability, have been covered by the programme.  The
regional distribution of WTO Reference Centres is as follows: thirty-seven in Africa, fourteen in the
Caribbean, nine in Asia, six in the Pacific and two in the Middle East.
Pursuant to article 27.3 of the DSU, legal advisory services were provided in 1999 through
the conduct of: (a) three special training courses on dispute settlement procedures and practices held
in Geneva; (b) five regional workshops for a total of 83 countries/territories participating. Pursuant to
article 27.2 of the DSU, legal advisory services were provided in 1999 to about 40 delegations inGeneva. In addition, four capital-based legal advisory missions were undertaken in the same year to
assist countries to amend their legislation in line with their WTO commitments.WT/BFA/W/43
Page 41
Training
Part Section Budget Expenditure Balance
A. Work years* Salary 893,950 838,092 55,858
Temporary Assistance 37,900 36,638 1,262
B. Administrative
Costs Communications 10,000 6,402 3,598
Building Facilities 0 0 0
Permanent Equipment 15,400 16,382 (982)
Expendable Equipment 0 89 (89)
Contractual Services 1,650 275 1,375
C. Other Costs Staff Overhead Costs
Missions
     Official 20,000 13,890 6,110
Trade Policy Training
   Courses 1,530,000 1,233,018 296,982
Representation and
     Hospitality 9,000 7,609 1,391
Total 2,517,900 2,152,395 365,505
*including higher category staffWT/BFA/W/43
Page 42
Training Division
Report on the achievement of the 1999 objectives
As Training was not yet a separate Division, the 1999 objectives for the Training Division
were listed as part of the Technical Cooperation and Training Division's set of tasks and objectives
enumerated in the 1998 Burgundy Book.  The relevant portion of these objectives (WT/BFA/W/27,
page  91) is reproduced below:
ii. Training
Objectives  for 1999
WTO Training activities aim to assist recipient countries in their understanding and
implementation of agreed international trade rules and to contribute towards human resource
development.  This objective is achieved by the organization of residential trade policy courses inGeneva for officials from developing countries (re gular courses) and economies in transition (special
courses).
Regular Trade Policy Courses aim to widen the participating officials' understanding of the
multilateral trading system and international trade law,  and of the activities, scope and structure of the
WTO, in order to allow them to improve the effec tiveness of their work in their own administrations.
Special Trade Policy Courses have been orga nized since 1991 for government officials from
economies in transition to facilitate the consolidation of these countries' economic reform and their
effective participation in the world trading system.
Work Programme for 1999
The Training Section will be responsible for the planning, organization and implementation of
up to five Trade Policy Courses.  Three Regular Courses of a twelve-week duration will be held, one in
French and the others in English and twenty-four WTO fellowships will be available for each Course.
Up to two Special Courses will be held financed by individual governments (Switzerland and the United
States) with participation limited to officials from the countries expressly invited.
For all Courses, the programme consists of interactive presentations and practical work.  The
Training Section is involved in (i) Pre-Course  administration which concerns the selection of
participants and travel and visas administration; (i i) Course administration involving the organization of
accommodation of participants and the delivery of the Course Programme (scheduling of lectures,
coordination of practical work, pr oduction of a course manual for each course, and organization of study
tours);  and (iii) Post-Course ad ministration, concerning preparing course reports and maintaining
contacts with trainees after they leave Geneva."
Assessment
The new Division fully met the above objectives, although it surrendered one support staff
position as a result of a transfer to another Division and as part of its contribution to the Secretariat's
resources redeployment.  The Division conducted succes sfully three 3-month residential courses (two in
English, 10th and 12th, and one in French, 11th) and one 6-week Special course for economies in
transition (the 9th of the sort) financed by the Swiss authoritie s.  The latter was the last of a series whichWT/BFA/W/43
Page 43
has now been replaced as of 2000 by three one-week special courses.  The participation in these
respective courses is as mentioned in the following footnote2.
In each case the Division proceeded with all the us ual logistical tasks pertaining to Pre-Course
and Course administration, which involves overlapping  courses because of the various stages at which
any given course is at.  It also added computer training courses to the curriculum with a view to
improving the trainees' participation in the Geneva  courses (use of the Document Dissemination System
on the Network) and maximising the use of the Reference Centers established under a separate
programme by the Secretariat in the capitals of ov er 60 developing countries .  The Division further
completed the production of the English version of the Training Manual, a very substantial task in itself.
As to Post-Course administration, in addition to  preparing the usual course evaluation reports
for each of the courses, the Division devoted much  attention to developing and fine-tuning the
evaluation tools, with special empha sis on improving "external" evaluati on of the impact of the courses
on the recipient countries' effectiveness in particip ating in the multilateral trading system.  It conducted
for the first time an audit of the electronic listing of past participants and experimented with online for a
for selected groups of past participants.  The gr owing proliferation of e-mail facilities in developing
countries as well has allowed the Division to envisage multiple uses of this modern means of
communication to maintain and further develop contacts with past participants.
Briefly, one can say beyond any doubt that the Di vision is quite proud to have not only fulfilled
its objectives, but to have gone much beyond exp ectations, thanks no doubt to a whole new and young
dedicated staff.
Staffing
Director 1
Professional Staff 2
General Service Staff 5
Divisional Budget
PART SECTION CHF
D. OTHER COSTS Trade Policy Training Courses             1,530,000
                                                     
2 10th:  Angola, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brazil, Chinese Taipei, El Salvador, Ghana, Indonesia, Jordan,
Korea, Mauritius, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Pakist an, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Romania,
Bhutan, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Thailand, Turkey and Uganda.
12th:  Bangladesh, Botswana, Cambodia, Chile, Cuba, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guyana, Hong Kong,
China, India, Jordan, Kenya, Kyrgyz Republic, Lesotho, Malawi, Paraguay, Rwanda, St. Lucia, Suriname,
Swaziland, Uganda, Venezuela, World Bank, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
11th:  Algeria, Argentine, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Côte
d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Haiti, Laos, Madagascar, Mali, Morocco, Maurice, Mauritania, Niger, Democratic Republic
of the Congo, Rwanda, Senegal, Chad, Togo, Tunisia and Turkey.
Special 9th:  Albania, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Former Yugoslav
Republic of Macedonia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Moldova,  Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.WT/BFA/W/43
Page 44
Trade Policies Review Division
Part Section Budget Expenditure Balance
A. Work years* Salary 3,035,660 2,805,498 230,162
Temporary Assistance 7,500 107,378 (99,878)
0
B. Administrative 0
        Costs Communications 15,000 12,691 2,309
Permanent Equipment 17,050 17,185 (135)
Expendable Equipment 0 65 (65)
Contractual Services 2,000 1,611 389
C. Other Costs Staff Overhead Costs
Missions
   Official 244,000 240,297 3,703
   Technical Cooperation 0 0 0
Representation and
     Hospitality 1,000 359 641
Total 3,322,210 3,185,085 137,125
*Including higher category staff.WT/BFA/W/43
Page 45
Trade Policies Review Division
The 1999 work programme for TPRD as issued  in WT/BFA/W/27 was changed somewhat in
October 1998 as a result of the reorganization of th e Secretariat.  TPRD's responsibility for the BOP
Committee was shifted (together with a staff member) to Trade and Finance.  Members at that time
also expressed a certain dissatisfaction with the "bunching" of TPRB meetings, particularly towards
the end of the year:  eight TPRs were held in November-December 1998.  In consequence, inconsultation with Members, 1999 was used as a year for consolidation and strengthening out the
programme.
In 1999, TPRB meetings were held for 12 Memb ers (in chronological order:  Argentina,
Togo, Guinea, Egypt, USA, Bolivia, Israel, the Philippines, Romania, Nicaragua, Papua New Guinea
and Thailand).  Each of these reviews was held according to the programme issued in early
November 1998, thus helping to space the reviews evenly over the year.  In addition, reviews wereprepared for Iceland, Kenya and Tanzania;  the TPRB meetings for these Members were held in
January-March 2000.  Work was began on reviews of  Bangladesh, Bahrain, Brazil, European Union,
Korea, Norway, Peru, Poland and Singapore.  In all, TPRs were conducted or under preparation for
24 Members, which was actually in excess of the work programme as issued in WT/BFA/W/27.
The TPRD also prepared:  (i) the Uruguay Round mandated Appraisal of the operation of the
TPRM, issued as a Ministerial document;  and (ii) the Director-Generals Overview of Developments
in the Trading System.  Neither of these were noted in the WTO/BFA/W/27 work programme for
TPRD.  In addition, technical assistance was provided to Cote d'Ivoire, Nicaragua and Honduras with
only Nicaragua noted in the work programme.WT/BFA/W/43
Page 46
Economic Research and Analysis
Part Section Budget Expenditure Balance
A. Work years* Salary 1,411,370 1,319,826 91,544
Temporary Assistance 59,000 109,342 (50,342)
B. Administrative
        Costs Communications 11,000 11,428 (428)
Permanent Equipment 1,250 798 452
Expendable Equipment 0 0 0
Contractual Services 0 345 (345)
C. Other Costs Staff Overhead Costs
Missions
   Official 15,000 12,012 2,988
   Technical Cooperation 0 0 0
Representation and
     Hospitality 1,000 283 717
Miscellaneous 0 0 0
    GTAP/Sponsoring 0 0 0
    Other 0 0 0
Total 1,498,620 1,454,035 44,585
*Including higher category staff.WT/BFA/W/43
Page 47
Economic Research and Analysis
Following is information on the realisation of 1999 objectives for the Economic Research and
Analysis Division.  The 1999 objectives were achieved despite the temporary loss in the division of
two professionals from September 1999 onward.
I. Annual Publications and Documents
(a) Press Release in April 1999, providing first assessment of trade developments in 1998.
(b) 1999 Annual Report, Volume I, chapters 1 and 2.(c) Two Special Studies:  (i) "Trade and Environment" and (ii) "Trade, Finance and Financial
Crises".
(d) Three WTO Working Papers: "Whether and when to liberalize capital account and
financial services", "The Impact of Transparency on Foreign Direct Investment", and "A
quantitative Assessment of Electronic Commerce".(e)  More than 10 articles on trade-related subjects published in specialized journals or books
outside WTO.
II. Operational Support
(a)  Preparation of briefings for the Director-General and Deputies Director-General on trade-
related issues, such as countries' economic analysis; publications by other international
organizations, governments and/or private institutions; results of conferences and seminars
and reports on current economic news and developments (e.g. for Seattle:  "WTO – What's at
Stake?").
(b) Participation in 22 different Technical Cooperation Division's missions to developing and
least-developed countries.(c) Organization of eight in-house economic seminars by eminent scholars for members of
missions and staff.
III. International Organisations and Outside Institutions
(a)  Participation in joint (WB, IMF, UNCT AD, OECD) meetings, workshops or conferences.
(b) Regular lectures (about five) at the Joint Vienna Institute, Austria.
(c) Participation in the International Task Force on Commodity Risk Management in
Developing Countries, the GTAP Consortium and the Link Project.
(d)  Presentation of papers and lectures at:  Erasmus University, Rotterdam; Latin AmericanTrade Network, Buenos Aires;  Economic Congress, Buenos Aires;  Royal Institute of
International Affairs, London;  University of St. Gallen;  Friedrich Naumann Foundation,
Ankara.
IV. Special Projects.
(a) Special study on market access for agricultural products, non-agricultural goods and
services.  First two parts have been completed.
(b) Special projects in 1999 included trade and environment and trade and financial crises,
which led to the two special studies mentioned above.(c) Follow-up report on e-commerce study.WT/BFA/W/43
Page 48
External Relations Division
Part Section Budget Expenditure Balance
A. Work years* Salary 887,670 811,191 76,479
Temporary Assistance 100,000 89,727 10,273
B. Administrative
        Costs Communications 11,000 7,803 3,197
Permanent Equipment 45,400 42,803 2,597
Expendable Equipment 0 60 (60)
Contractual Services 0 0 0
C. Other Costs Staff Overhead Costs
Missions
   Official 50,000 21,438 28,562
   Technical Cooperation 0 0 0
Representation and
     Hospitality 1,000 831 169
UN and Other Bodies 5,000 0 5,000
Total 1,100,070 973,853 126,217
*Including higher category staff.WT/BFA/W/43
Page 49
External Relations Divi sion Objectives for 1999
Following is information of the realization of 1999 objectives for the External Relations Division:
(i) Prepare for the Ministerial Seattle Conference and (ii) relations with NGOs
External Relations has played a key role in organizing the attendance of the IGOs and NGOs.
Dealing with IGOs required a follow-up to the requests for observer status for the Ministerial sentregularly to the General Council, and when necessary to keep in close contact with the organizations.
Taking care of the NGOs required a lot of work to make sure that on the one hand, all the NGOs
whose activities are trade-related received accreditation, as requested under Article V;2 of the Final
Act and, on the other hand, prepare for all the arra ngements necessary to ensure that accredited NGOs
would feel involved during the Conference.
On the registration process the Division worked non-stop from June, when the Division got
the General Council to decide on the arrangements for NGOs, until the last minute due to requests
made
 by some Governments for their NGOs afte r the deadline. 776 organisations registered
representing more than 2000 individuals.
On the facilities side, External Relations was part of the Task Force set up by the DG and
participated actively to ensure that the NGO Centre to be established in Seattle, would offer all the
facilities required by NGOs.
Another important issue taken care of by External Relations, was the organisation of a major
Symposium agreed upon by the Members in mid-September. Preparation turned out to be very time-
consuming and included developing the agenda, identifying and inviting speakers and preparing the
logistics with the host country.
Taking into account the resource-limits, the Division realized the objectives set for the
registration process, the facilities and the Symposium from our Members.  In addition, the Division
has used the Ministerial to develop our contacts with NGOs i.e. all components of the civil society.
Various organizations have visited the WTO to receive briefings and meet with Secretariat officials in
addition to the regular briefings given to the Geneva-based NGOs.
(iii) Relations with IGOs
External Relations has been involved in the regular relations with IGOs as the focal point for
attendance at meetings organized by other IGOs , in particular the UN system and the OECD.
The Division has also maintained close relations with the Office of the Secretary-General of
the UN, as well as with the OECD as the Division represents the WTO in the Trade Committee. In
that respect, the Division prepared for the at tendance of the Director-in-Charge to the OECD
Ministerial and the ECOSOC July One-day Policy Dialogue. The Division also organized the
attendance of the IGOs to Seattle and have been wo rking with some delegations with regard to the
observer status of IGOs still pending.
The Division objectives have been to maintain and develop excellent relations with all IGOs
around the world.  The Division has been able to do.  The Office of the Secretary-General of the UN
has been working closely with the Division to develop strong informal relations on which the DG has
been able to build, at the beginning of 2000 when meeting with the Senior Management Group of the
UN in New York, and later on with the ACC on trade matters.WT/BFA/W/43
Page 50
(iv) Relations with Parliaments and Parliamentarians
The Division has developed these relations in 1999 in particular in Seattle.  The Division has
welcomed a great number of parliamentarians and prepared and participated in meetings of the
European Parliament (External Relations Committee) and the Council of Europe, Inter-Parliamentary
Union and various committees of the House of Commons.  We have also prepared articles for the DGon the relationship between WTO and parliaments.  This has been published in a number of places
including the monthly journal of the IPU.
In Seattle, the Division has been instrumental with the team of Senator Roth and other staffers
from parliamentarians to have the call for a Parliamentarians Standing Body to WTO adopted.
External Relations has been working hard with the sta ffers to make sure that at the end of the day the
text to be presented to Parliamentarians was WTO friendly.
(v) Coordination of attendance at meetings outside WTO
There has been an increased number of requests to attend outside meetings in particular with
regard to the preparation of Seattle.  This means a huge number of files coming in every day whichhave to be circulated to the right people and eventually replies prepared.  185 meetings were attended
by WTO officials.
Being the focal point in the Secretariat the Division has very often avoided duplication of
replies. The Division has been able to inform those of our colleagues who may have received aninvitation when, at the same time another colleague was already designated to represent WTO.  The
Division should keep this system in place in order to further improve efficiency in our coordinating
role.
(vi) Protocol
Protocol is part of our responsibilities and daily work.  The Division has been  more and more
solicited by Delegations with regard to the credentials of their Ambassadors as well as with regard to
some specific protocolar matters which even go as far as table arrangements.
The Division faces a major problem in receiving updated and correct information and
credentials as Missions do not always reply to our requests for updates and because we do not get all
the information from our colleagues in the Secretariat.  This is an area where we will try to improve
the system.
In addition the Division has been producing the WTO Directory and the list of Ministers
responsible for WTO in the respective capitals of our Members.
(vii) Registry
Improvements in Registry productivity in 1999 in the main stemmed from the migration of
the Registry Automation System (RAS) to the most recent version of Lotus Notes and thus from
capitalizing on the numerous improvements that have been made to the software since implementationof the RAS in June 1996.  The migration required the assistance of external consultants and therefore
also provided an opportunity to incorporate into the functionality of the database many of the
improvements that had been suggested by Administrative Assistants and Registry Staff during the first
three years of operation.WT/BFA/W/43
Page 51
Furthermore, regarding the substantive content of the database, the inputting of the backlog of
records received between the inception of the WTO and of the RAS was finally completed, thereby
replacing the paper card-indexing for the complete collection of all WTO correspondence.
Now, for the first time, it is possible for an y WTO staff member to research the complete
Registry database of all official correspondence received since 1 January 1995 from their own officedesktop PC.WT/BFA/W/43
Page 52
Statistics and Information Systems Division
Part Section Budget Expenditure Balance
A. Work years* Salary 3,089,150 3,039,777 49,373
Temporary Assistance 99,000 153,908 (54,908)
0
B. Administrative 0
        Costs Communications 10,000 9,151 849
Permanent Equipment 71,000 68,737 2,263
Expendable Equipment 0 1,732 (1,732)
Contractual Services 37,000 4,436 32,564
0
C. Other Costs Staff Overhead Costs 0
Missions 0
   Official 20,000 20,360 (360)
   Technical Cooperation 0 0 0
Representation and
     Hospitality 1,000 1,000
Miscellaneous 0 0 0
    UN Bodies 0 0 0
Total 3,327,150 3,298,102 29,048
*Including higher category staff.WT/BFA/W/43
Page 53
Statistics
In 1999, the Statistics Division's objectives focused on improving the quality, timeliness and
coverage of the products and services supplied to users;  on improving the efficiency of the work
processes and on widening interagency cooperation in the field of international trade statistics.  The
extent to which these objectives were realised can be seen from the following results:
• Improving products and services:
- The annual "International Trade Statistics" Report on CD-ROM came out within the
deadline and included enhanced search facilities;
- a comprehensive review of sectoral trade in services statistics was carried out;
- all Members' import and tariff submissions to the Integrated Data Base (IDB) were
processed to the extent permitted.  (a number of submissions where problems have beenidentified are the subject of correspondence with Members);
- the country coverage of the IDB was extended (17 new participants between March 1999
and March 2000) as a result of efforts through the Market Access Committee, technical
assistance activities and informal dialogue with Geneva-based delegations;
- the IDB was disseminated to Members through the Internet and a new CD-ROM (Release 3);
- work began on a new database of Members' consolidated tariff schedules.  During the
year, the database design was finalised, el ectronic processing tools developed, and
processing of around 50 per cent of tariff concessions completed;
- the coverage of the merchandise and trade in services statistics made available to the
Secretariat on the Intranet was extended;
- detailed trade statistics were provided on the members' web-site and a selection on the
public web-site.
• Improving work processes:
− Production processes on WTO Members' budgetary contributions, core statistical series,
trade estimation, data collection, and table generation were improved through automation,
and improvements in electronic working tools and applications;
− enhancements to the IDB conversion facility, and the PC Quantitative restrictions database
were completed;
− the design of the IDB dissemination database was completed and enhancements to the IDB
Internet Facility introduced;
− developed IDB electronic reporting tools;
− began development of the IDB Internet Reporting Application (data warehouse).
• Contributions to inter-agency cooperation:
− The first complete draft of the Manual of Statistics on International Trade in Services in
cooperation with OECD, IMF, UNCTAD and EU ROSTAT, (Task Force on international
trade in services statistics) was finalised;
− continuing efforts were made through the Task Force on International (merchandise) Trade
Statistics (chaired by the WTO) to improve the timeliness, quality and consistency ofmerchandise trade statistics by contributing papers on methodological issues, contributing to
the Compilers' Manual on International merchandise Trade Statistics, and establishing andadministering with the OECD, an electronic discussion group;
− input into international research into the effects of globalization on trade statistics was
provided.WT/BFA/W/43
Page 54
The following objectives were not realised.  The main reasons were either lack of resources,
underestimation of the time or technical complexity of the proposals, or setting unrealistic objectives:
− Developing knowledge management techniques;
− broadening the coverage of the world merchandise trade matrix;  developing statistics
− on foreign direct investment and foreign affiliates trade statistics;
− implementation of an Intranet-based information system relating to services.WT/BFA/W/43
Page 55
Informatics Division
Part Section Budget Expenditure Balance
A. Work years* Salary 1,794,500 1,684,762 109,738
Temporary Assistance 976,500 1,077,510 (101,010)
0
B. Administrative 0
        Costs Communications 10,000 29,998 (19,998)
Permanent Equipment 900,170 1,256,753 (356,583)
Expendable Equipment 173,900 101,764 72,136
Contractual Services 1,824,650 1,535,914 288,736
0
C. Other Costs Staff Overhead Costs 9,500 9,700 (200)
Missions
     Official 20,000 10,428 9,572
     Technical Cooperation 0
Representation and 0
     Hospitality 1,000 1,000
Miscellaneous 0
Total 5,710,220 5,706,829 3,391
*including higher category staff.WT/BFA/W/43
Page 56
Realisation of the 1999 Objectives for the Informatics Division
The budget and the objectives for the Informatics Division are initially prepared and
submitted to the attention of Senior Management and the Committee on Budget, Finance and
Administration. They are subsequently reviewed and adjusted according to the budgetary reductions,where some tasks and projects are scaled down, postponed or cancelled. This revised budget and work
programme is presented to the EDP Steering Committee. In the course of the year, a few projects
which were postponed could be re-scheduled if savings have been made.
In general, most of the 1999 objectives have been met. However, a few tasks or projects had
to be postponed (see below) mostly because of the budget reduction.
Overview of completed objectives
The core activities, in the area of maintenance and operation of the Infrastructure and
Applications and User support and training, have been fully met. In the same manner, the
maintenance of existing divisional projects as well as coordination of new projects has been achieved.
The Division is also requested to provide support for ad hoc requests which it cannot plan in
advance. Examples are LDCs seminars, High-level meetings, videoconference sessions and
Multimedia presentations.
The Study to enhance the network infrastructure has been completed and implementation will
take place in 2000. It was necessary, in view of  an increasing number of users, network-centric
applications, more documents produced, a heavier reliance by the staff on the Internet (research,
downloading) as well as more "bandwidth-hungry" applications.
The Intranet has been put into operation. Moreover, there have been significant enhancements
made to the WTO Internet site in terms of performance and particularly security.
Security has become a major issue. During and following the Ministerial Conference at
Seattle, adequate measures had to be taken to protect the WTO Internet site and the e-mail system
against denial of services and system penetration attempts from hackers.
Remote access to the WTO e-mail and network facilities for staff working at home or on
mission has been successfully deployed.
The Division has participated actively in the elaboration of the WTO Trade Reference
Centers.
All matters relating to Year 2000 Compliance have been successfully achieved.
The Informatics preparations and support for and during the Ministerial Conference in Seattle
(and Geneva) were also fully realised.
A few divisional projects were started but will be completed only in 2000 (the enhanced
Document Distribution Facility for Members, the Services Database on Internet).
The remote premises of Av. Blanc were obtained in late 1999. The study of the networking of
the remote premises and of the interconnection to CWR was completed in December 1999 and work
could only start in January 2000. However, it has been completed in February 2000.WT/BFA/W/43
Page 57
Networking of the new Conference Room a nd connection to the main WTO network was
studied at the end of 1999. Implementation will proceed in march 2000.
Overview of postponed tasks or projects
A few tasks or projects had to be postponed or scaled-down due to the budget reduction
(equipment and human resources). Also, the much-needed upgrade of Pcs and printers was done only
partially.
One problem affecting the productivity of the Division is the heavy dependency on temporary
staff for it's core operations. These persons are trained on WTO's environment but some leave for
more secure positions. It is also often not possible to provide dedicated personnel in support of
multimedia presentations requested by divisions and delegations.
EDP training was provided in 1998 and 1999 on the new Windows NT and Office 97
environments for all WTO staff and newcomers. Lack of adequate resources prevented the
establishment of organization-wide large scale trai ning on advanced Office Automation functionality,
although these were provided ad hoc to a smaller audience.
The IT Security Plan could not be effectively implemented due to the lack of position for an
IT Security Officer.WT/BFA/W/43
Page 58
Accessions Division
Part Section Budget Expenditure Balance
A. Work years* Salary 1,017,820 933,972 83,848
Temporary Assistance 6,000 7,739 (1,739)
0
B. Administrative 0
        Costs Communications 10,000 7,316 2,684
Permanent Equipment 4,000 3,915 85
Expendable Equipment 0
Contractual Services 0
0
C. Other Costs Staff Overhead Costs 0
Missions
     Official 5,000 2,661 2,339
     Technical
Cooperation0
Representation and 0
     Hospitality 1,000 763 237
Miscellaneous 0
Total 1,043,820 956,366 87,454WT/BFA/W/43
Page 59
Accession Division
As expected, the year proved to be a particularly busy one for the Accessions Division.  In
total, 40 accession Working Party meetings were held.  The accessions of Estonia, Georgia and Jordan
were completed, and a significant number of other accessions were brought close to finalization
(Albania, Armenia Croatia, China, Chinese Taipei, Lithuania, Oman, Moldova, and Vanuatu).  Inaddition, certain other accessions, including major ones such as the Nepal, the Russian Federation and
Saudi Arabia were advanced through consultation and negotiations.  New accession working parties
were established for Bhutan, Bosnia Herzegovina and Lebanon.
Technical missions were undertaken to Estonia, Georgia and Saudi Arabia.  Despite an
increasingly high demand for assistance from acceding governments, the number of missions had to
be restrained as the unusually high number of accession meetings did not permit the small staff of theAccessions Division to leave Geneva.  Serious financial constraints proved, once again, to be a major
factor in meeting requests for technical assistance, often even in the case of advanced accessions.WT/BFA/W/43
Page 60
Trade and Environment Division
Part Section Budget Expenditure Balance
A. Work years* Salary 1,094,400 1,002,999 91,401
Temporary Assistance 26,500 23,567 2,933
0
B. Administrative 0
        Costs Communications 11,000 6,693 4,307
Permanent Equipment 8,300 7,767 533
Expendable Equipment 195 (195)
Contractual Services 1,000 219 781
0
C. Other Costs Staff Overhead Costs 0
Missions 0
     Official 35,000 30,848 4,152
     Technical
Cooperation0
Representation and 0
     Hospitality 1,000 715 285
Miscellaneous 0
    Other / ISO 62,000 66,118 (4,118)
Total 1,239,200 1,139,121 100,079
* including higher category staff.WT/BFA/W/43
Page 61
Trade and Environment Division
The Division realized the objectives set out for work in 1999 in the following respect:
I. TECHNICAL BARRIERS TO TRADE
1 The Division serviced the Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), including working
with the Members and the Chair on the preparation of, and follow-up to, meetings. A Symposium on
Conformity Assessment Procedures was organized in June.  Papers, annual review and reports were
prepared to facilitate the discussions, particularly in the context of the Committee's work programme
arising from the First Triennial Review.
2 The Division organized jointly with other international and regional organizations (ISO, IEC, ITC
and FTAA) regional seminars on the TBT Agreement and standards related matters for developing
countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America.  The Secretariat participated in conferences, workshops,seminars and meetings organized by international organizations and regional bodies (ISO, WHO,
International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperatio n, International Organization of Legal Metrology,
EC, APEC, Asian Pacific Laboratory Accredit ation Cooperation, SADC, ESCWA, UN/ECE and
Inter-American Development Bank).  It provided technical assistance to WTO Members and countries
in accession upon request.
3 The Division kept senior management and WTO Members informed of discussions in other
organizations on matters related to the TBT Agreement and, as appropriate, kept these organizations
informed of the discussions undertaken in the TBT Committee.  It also maintained contact with the
private sector on issues of mutual interest in this area.
4 The Division serviced Members and the senior mana gement in preparation for, and at, the Seattle
Ministerial Conference on matters related to the TBT Agreement.
5 The Secretariat took the initiative to establish a system whereby through electronic means the
attention of developing country Members will be drawn to notifications relating to products of
particular interest to them.
II. TRADE AND ENVIRONMENT
6 The Division serviced the Committee on Trade and Environment (CTE), including working
with Members and the Chair in the preparation of, and follow-up to, meetings.  The Division prepared
background documentation requested by Members and the Chair (e.g., the Environmental Database).
It prepared regular briefings on trade-related developments in environmental fora, particularly in
multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs).
7 The Division completed the final seminars of a series of seven Regional Seminars on Trade
and Environment for developing country Government officials, provided technical assistance to WTO
Members upon request, and participated in tech nical cooperation activit ies of other IGOs. A
cooperation arrangement between the WTO and UNEP Secretariats was finalized.  It kept senior
management and WTO Members informed of relevant discussions in other bodies, including the
negotiation and implementation of MEAs.  There were several trade-related developments of
importance in MEAs in 1999, which required careful attention.
8 In the interest of promoting a better understanding of WTO rules, relations were intensified
with Secretariats of MEAs.  Thus, an Information Session was organized by the Division back-to-
back with the CTE's July 1999 meeting.  To enhance the dialogue on trade and environment with non-
governmental organizations (NGOs), the Division organized the High Level Symposium on Trade and
Environment, which was held under the Secretariat's responsibility in March 1999 and broughtWT/BFA/W/43
Page 62
together approximately 800 participants, including WTO Members governments, other IGOs,
academia and NGO representatives from the environment, consumers, development and industry
sectors.
9 The Division serviced Members and senior manage ment in preparation for, and at, the Seattle
Ministerial Conference in matters related to trade and environment.
III. MISCELLANEOUS
10 The Division provided Secretariat support to the Canada-EU asbestos dispute panel.
11 The Division continued its informal working relations with the ILO Secretariat, notably by
participating as observers in ILO meetings of relevan ce to trade.  It also provided secretariat services
during discussions on labour matters at Seattle.WT/BFA/W/43
Page 63
Textiles Division
Part Section Budget Expenditure Balance
A. Work years* Salary 578,640 576,008 2,632
Temporary Assistance 4,500 6,053 (1,553)
0
B. Administrative 0
        Costs Communications 4,000 1,170 2,830
Permanent Equipment 0
Expendable Equipment 0
Contractual Services 0
0
C. Other Costs Staff Overhead Costs 0
Missions 0
     Official 10,000 9,906 94
     Technical
Cooperation0
Representation and 0
     Hospitality 1,000 85 915
Miscellaneous 0
Total 598,140 593,222 4,918
*Including higher category staff.WT/BFA/W/43
Page 64
Achievement of the Objectives of the Textiles Division for 1999
1. Provide technical advice and guidance on textile matters and on the implementation of
the ATC to WTO Members and countries in the process of accession.
Consultations were held with and technical information was provided to a number of interested
developing country Members with respect to the pr ovisions and operation of the ATC.  This advice
also covered actions taken under other multilateral agreements (e.g. rules of origin, anti-dumping,
etc.) in relation to:
(a) the development of positions and argumentation regarding implementation of the ATC in the
General Council sessions in preparation for the Seattle Ministerial meeting;
(b) Members' overall concerns with progress being made in the first half of the ATC's integration
process and what might be expected in the second half (2000-2004) and, in the longer term,
with possible developments in trade in the absence of bilateral quotas after 2004.
Discussions were also held with countries in accession, explaining their rights and obligations under
the ATC.
2. Contribute to the servicing of the Textiles Monitoring Body.
One official of the Textiles Division serves as secretary of the TMB.  Other Divisional staff are also
involved in support work for the Body.  The TMB me t 10 times in 1999, frequently for two or three
days.
3. Provide service to DSU panels, in cooperation with the Legal Division.
There were no panels in 1999 related directly to the ATC.  The Division did, however, monitor
closely the several panels involving trade policy measures regulated by other multilateral agreements
which were applied on textile and clothing products.
4. Maintain close liaison with other WTO Divisions and participate in WTO training and
technical cooperations functions.
In preparation for the Seattle Ministerial meeting, the Division maintained on-going relations
with Ministerial Conference Division, ensuring that proposals made by Members in the meetings of
the General Council were reflected in the preparatory work.
In relation to the counselling functions, and as part of the programme of maintaining an
up-to-date and comprehensive knowledge base, particularly close liaison was maintained with Market
Access Division (textile rules of origin and tariffs as well as discussions in the CTG, which oversees
the implementation of the ATC), and Rules Division (anti-dumping, subsidies, safeguard casesinvolving textiles).
The Textiles Division participated in the programme of four trade policy courses organized by
the Training Division (two English, one French, one Special) presenting lectures on the provisions
and functioning of the Textiles Agreement and developments in international textile and clothingtrade.
The Division also participated in five regional (E. Africa, W. Africa, Central America, Asia
and one held in Geneva) and four national seminars (Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, Myanmar and
China) under both the WTO's technical cooperation programmes and under joint programmes withWT/BFA/W/43
Page 65
ITC/UNCTAD and other organizations.  In addi tion to the ATC, these seminars addressed
developments in textiles and clothing trade, provided information on the structure and functions of the
WTO, on notification obligations and procedures and on dispute settlement.
The Division completed the first WTO CD-ROM on the Textiles Agreement, for technical
cooperation activities and for distance learning.  It was published in cooperation with IMRD.
5. Maintain a broad knowledge base on developments in world textiles and clothing trade
and government policies and actions in this area.
In addition to the specific responsibilities relating to the implementation of the ATC, the
Textiles Division maintains a broad knowledge base of trade policies and domestic economic/social
policies of textile trading countries.  In 1999, this information was gathered increasingly from internetsources as well as the traditional official publications, trade magazines, newspapers, etc.  Trade
statistics were assembled and interpreted to identify changes in trading patterns that affect Members,
for use in all of the above activities of the Division.
6. Provide information and advice to intergovernmental and non-governmental
organizations, trade associations and academics.
In 1999, the Division worked with inter-governmental organizations (ITC, UNCTAD, FAO,
ITCB, ICAC) on both general textile trade matters and on technical cooperation seminars.  It also
maintained close cooperative relationships with private sector organizations, participating at theirinvitation in meetings of the International Apparel Federation and International Textile Manufacturer's
Federation, to inform them both of developments in the implementation of the ATC and in overall
WTO activities.  The Division provided articles to trade publications in this sector and maintained
contact with academics, commenting on papers they were preparing and exchanging views on the
progress in the ATC.WT/BFA/W/43
Page 66
Language Service and Documentation Division
Part Section Budget Expenditure Balance
A. Professional* Salary 13,337,270 12,654,820 682,450
Temporary Assistance 6,063,500 8,668,816 (2,605,316)
0
B. Administrative 0
        Costs Communications 55,000 55,103 (103)
Permanent Equipment 61,520 112,437 (50,917)
Expendable Equipment 670,000 610,051 59,949
Contractual Services 76,850 31,889 44,961
    Reproduction 1,147,000 1,028,755 118,245
0
C. Other Costs Staff Overhead Costs 0
Missions 0
     Official 5,000 10,598 (5,598)
     Technical
Cooperation0
Representation and 0
     Hospitality 1,000 418 582
Total 21,417,140 23,172,887 (1,755,747)
*including higher category staffWT/BFA/W/43
Page 67
Languages and Services
1. The Document Dissemination Facility (DDF), the Secretariat's documentation window on the
world, was originally developed in 1996. Desirous of providing an improved service by capitalising
on recent developments in Internet technology, LSDD embarked in 1999 on an eighteen-month
programme to modernise the DDF, to be completed by the third quarter 2000.  Work accomplished sofar centres around the following areas:
- an improved search capability, comprising a simple and an advanced interface (the latter to
introduce legal research on-line);
- assisted-searching facilities - users will no longer have to know intimately the document
nomenclature (symbols) nor be familiar with WTO documentation to be able to use theapplication effectively;
- pre-programmed searching facilities - users will be able to retrieve key documents simply by
clicking on a button;
- language integration to enable users to simultaneously consult and download documents in
more than one language;
- the integration of the Members' and Public's zones.  Users will have different access rights
depending on their legal entitlement to documentation;
- the integration of the DDF and the Document Management System (DMS) to expedite the
posting of documents on Internet;
2. The Translation Assistance System (TAS), a software programme that facilitates the
translation process, was developed by Document  Systems (LSDD) and deployed in the Division
during 1999.  It is now fully operational and consti tutes the main working tool for the Translation
Services.  The TAS uses text-synchronisation technology (developed in-house) to facilitate the
formulation of searches in one language to obtain re sults in another language.  It enables translators to
coordinate the solution of  terminological problems and the consultation of  glossaries. It is also usedto maintain the WTO's terminology data base and to disseminate reference documents to translators.
Several International Organizations have expressed interest in acquiring the TAS.
In addition, LSDD introduced during 1999 translation memory technology to facilitate the
translation process.  The product, Translators' Workbench, has now become the market standard.
Various voice recognition solutions are also being tested.
3. LSDD has actively pursued attempts to ensure timely distribution of documents in the three
working languages, but efforts have been hampered by yet another upsurge in translation workload,
which in 1999 was up 25 per cent over 1998.  A si milar growth pattern (19 per cent) has been
observed during the two first months of 2000 as compared with the same period in 1999.
4. One regular, experienced translator and one trainee translator, both with a legal background,
have been incorporated in the team to deal with work resulting from the dispute settlement
mechanism, but total staff available is not sufficient to cope with the ever-increasing volume of
documentation in this sector.  Two new posts are to be filled in the coming months.
5. Contractual translation has continued to grow  at a rapidly expanding rate and some 25% of
total workload is now outsourced.  Retainer-type contracts prove to be a particularly cost-efficient
arrangement.  Outsourcing in other areas is also being explored.WT/BFA/W/43
Page 68
Council Division
Part Section Budget Expenditure Balance
A. Professional* Salary 949,310 900,465 (1,140,471)
Temporary Assistance 10,000 0 10,000
B. Administrative
        Costs Communications 4,000 2,716 1,284
Permanent Equipment 10,900 5,934 4,966
Expendable Equipment 0 65 (65)
Contractual Services 3,000 1,020 1,980
C. Other Costs Staff Overhead Costs
Missions
   Official 0
   Technical Cooperation 0 0 0
Representation and 0
     Hospitality 1,000 380 620
Total 978,210 910,580 67,630
*Including higher category staff.WT/BFA/W/43
Page 69
General Council
The Council Division managed and serviced formal and informal meetings of the General
Council (the General Council met 20 times in formal sessions and over 20 times in informal
sessions3).  The Council Division ensured the preparation and the follow-up to these meetings,
provided assistance to the Chairman of the General Council and advised delegations on issues underconsideration by the General Council.  These issues included: accession matters, the appointment of a
new Director-General, global electronic commerce, promotion of the institutional image of the WTO,
the question of transparency and derestriction, the status of the review of the Dispute Settlement
Understanding, the issue of greater coherence among the policies of the WTO, the IMF and the World
Bank, a number of requests for waivers from obligations under the WTO Agreements, the five-year
review of the exemption provided in Paragraph 3 of the GATT 1994, and the annual review of WTO
activities.  In relation to the appointment of a ne w Director-General, the Council Division organized
and managed in 1999 numerous consultations for over eight months.
Ministerial Conference – Third Session
4
The Division managed and assisted the General Council in its work concerning organizational
aspects relating to the 1999 Ministerial Conference including organization of work of the Conference,
participation of acceding countries as observers in the preparatory work for the Ministerial
Conference, attendance of governments and of international intergovernmental organizations as
observers at the Conference and attendance of non-governmental organizations at the Conference.
The Division was also responsible for the preparati on and the management of the Plenary Sessions of
the Third Session of Ministerial Conference.
Dispute Settlement Body
During the period under review, the Council Division managed and serviced formal and
informal meetings of the Dispute Settlement Body (the DSB met 20 times in formal sessions).  The
Division ensured the preparation and the follow- up of DSB' s meetings.  The work of the DSB
included: establishment of over 30 dispute settlement panels, adoption of 11 Panel reports and nine
Appellate Body Reports, monitoring of the implem entation of DSB' s recommendations, authorization
of suspensions of concessions, and continuation of the DSU review.  In 1999, 24 informal meetingswere held to discuss various subjects taken up in the context of the DSU review.  The Council
Division also provided assistance to the Chairman of the DSB and delegations on procedural matters
involved in the work of the DSB.  The Division maintained and updated the indicative list of
governmental and non-governmental panellists, as well as information data on the state-of-play of
dispute settlement cases brought to the attention of the DSB.
Other tasks
5
The Council Division assembled the 1998 BISD and monitored the derestriction process of
over 2000 documents that were still restricted during the period under review.
                                                     
3 These figures do not include the General Council Special Sessions dedicated to the substantive
preparations for the Third Session of the Ministerial Conference.
4 The substantive preparations for the Third Session of the Ministerial Conference were carried out
under a separate process for which the Ministerial Sessions Division was responsible.
5 On 3 February 1999, the responsibility of the work relating to scheduling of meetings of the WTO
and interpretation services was transferred from the Council Division to the Language Services andDocumentation Division.WT/BFA/W/43
Page 70
Appellate Body and its Secretariat
Part Section Budget Expenditure Balance
A. Work years* Salary 1,270,050 1,214,095 55,955
Temporary Assistance 4,500 14,693 (10,193)
0
B. Administrative 0
        Costs Communications 6,500 12,412 (5,912)
Building facilities 0 9,140 (9,140)
Permanent Equipment 70,200 62,126 8,074
Expendable Equipment 2,000 3,305 (1,305)
Contractual Services 4,500 6,645 (2,145)
0
C. Other Costs Staff Overhead Costs 0 1,128 (1,128)
Missions 0
     Official 14,000 8,406 5,594
     Technical
Cooperation0
Representation and 0
     Hospitality 1,000 77 923
Miscellaneous 0 0 0
    Appellate Members 615,200 614,624 576
    Library 3,000 3,353 (353)
    Publications 0 0 0
Total 1,990,950 1,950,004 40,946
* including higher category staff.WT/BFA/W/43
Page 71
Appellate Body and its Secretariat
The objectives of the Appellate Body in 1999 were as follows:
(i) to enable the Appellate Body to hear and decide appeals from panel reports pursuant to the
provisions of the DSU;
(ii) to continue to provide an efficient, independ ent Secretariat to service and assist the Appellate
Body; and
(iii) to assist in training on dispute settlement as part of the WTO's technical assistance activities.
In the course of 1999, the Appellate Body heard and decided 10 appeals:
• Korea – Taxes on Alcoholic Bevera ges (WT/DS75/AB/R , WT/DS84/AB/R);
• Japan – Measures Affecting Agri cultural Products (WT/DS76/AB/R);
• Brazil – Export Financing Programme for Aircraft (WT/DS46/AB/R);
• Canada – Measures Affecting the Export of Civilian Aircraft (WT/DS70/AB/R);
• India – Quantitative Restrictions on Imports of Agricultural, Textile and Industrial
Products (WT/DS90/AB/R);
• Canada – Measures Affecting the Importati on of Milk and the Exportation of Dairy
Products (WT/DS103/A BR, WT/DS113/AB/R);
• Turkey – Restrictions on Imports of Text ile and Clothing Products (WT/DS34/AB/R);
• Chile – Taxes on Alcoholic Bevera ges (WT/DS87/ABR,  WT/DS110/AB/R);
• Argentina – Safeguard Measures on Imports  of Footwear (WT/ DS121/AB/R);  and
• Korea – Definitive Safeguard Measur e on Imports of Certain Dairy Products
(WT/DS98/AB/R).
The Appellate Body Secretariat serviced and assisted the Appellate Body in all the appeals
heard in 1999.  Furthermore, the Appellate Body Secretariat provided assistance to individualMembers of the Appellate Body acting as arbitrators in two arbitration proceedings under
Article 21.3 (c) of the DSU to determine the reasonable period of time for implementation of adopted
DSB recommendations and rulings:  Australia – Measures Aff ecting Importation of Salmon
(WT/DS18/9) and  Korea – Taxes on Alcoholic Beverages (WT/DS75/16, WT/DS84/14).  Staff
members of the Appellate Body Secretariat also par ticipated as lecturers in all WTO training courses
and conferences on dispute settlement.
__________