WORLD TRADE WT/LDC/HL/12/Add.7
23October 1997
ORGANIZATION(97-4640)
High-Level Meeting onIntegrated Initiatives for
Least-Developed Countries 'Trade Development
COUNTRY-SPECIFIC ROUND TABLES: DOCUMENTATION
Mali
Addendum
Documentation fortheRound Table Meeting forMali.WT/LDC/HL/12/Add.7
Page2
REPLIES TOTHE QUESTIONS ONTRADE-RELATED
TECHNICAL COOPERATION NEEDS ASSESSMENT
A. Trade Policy
(a) What arethesectors thatyoubelieve haveunexploited orunderexploited export potential?
- Thefruitandvegetablesector,pickingwild-growingspecies(gumarabic,cashewapples,
etc.). Livestock andlivestock products, agricultural products suchasrice,sugar cane,
wheat, thefoodindustry, cultural products, gold, textiles, hides andskins, poultry,
bee-keeping, fisheries andcrafts areunderexploited sectors.
- Meat, limestone, marble etc.haveunderexploited theexport potential.
(b) Could youplease define yourcountry 'sperspective ofthereasons foranychanges inthe
structure anddirection ofexports andimports?
Imports haverisen since thedevaluation oftheCFA Franc inJanuary 1994. Exports have
alsobeenontheincrease, i.e.26.2percentfrom1994to1995, compared with10percentfrom1992
to1993.
Thechiefimports arecapital goods, foodproducts andhydrocarbons. Exports consist ofcotton,
livestock andgold.
(c) What have been theobjectives oftrade policy inthemost recent period, compared to,
say,twodecades ago?
Inaddition tothemain objectives thathavealways existed, namely:
- Toensure regular andproper supply ofconsumer products andcapital goods;
- toensure steady sales ofdomestic products athome andabroad recent trade policy
objectives haveconsisted indiversifying production andexports, increasing exports
bymaking thebestuseofthetrade growth instruments introduced under regional
economic arrangements withaviewtoimproving thebalance ofpayments.
(d) What aretheMinistries incharge oftrade policy matters, including formulation,
implementation,enforcementandmonitoring?Howiscoordinationmade?Whataretherespective
rolesoftherelevant Ministries (giveparticular attention totariff policies andother policies directly
affecting exports andimports ofgoods andservices)?
TheMinistry ofFinance andTrade (MFC) formulates, implements, enforces andmonitors
Mali'strade policies.
Theother Ministries areinvolved intradepolicy formulation andimplementation, depending
ontheirparticular field.
TheMinistry ofFinance andTrade isthecompetent Ministry intariffandother policies directly
affecting imports andexports ofgoods.WT/LDC/HL/12/Add.7
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AllMinistries, depending ontheirfunctions, arecompetent inregard totariffandotherpolicies
directly affecting exports andimports ofservices.
(e) Howaretheprivate sector andacademic institutions associated withtheformulation and
conduct oftrade policy?
Theprivate sector isbroadly associated withtheformulation andconduct oftradepolicy through
meetings, seminars, workshops, publication ofperiodicals, reviews, andinformation bulletins.
Academic institutions alsoplayapartbymeans ofconferences, seminars orthepreparation
ofdissertations orend-of-year reports.
(f) What aretheinstitutions inyourcountry thatcanplayaroleinimplementation ofatrade-
related project atthelocal level? State their respective roles.
- Wecancitetosome institutions, suchas:
- Theregional offices oftheMaliChamber ofCommerce andIndustry (CCIM);
- theMaliChamber ofCommerce andIndustry takes partinthepromotion of
localtrade awareness andtraining ofeconomic operators;
- theCCIM defends theinterests ofitsmember;
- thenon-governmental organizations forthefinancing ofsome trade-related
projects;
- thedecentralizedfinancialinstitutionsforfinancialsupporttoanumberoftrade-
related microprojects.
(g) What arethemain lawsandregulations dealing withtrade policy -onexports andimports?
Please provide ashort description ofeach.
- LawNo.92-002/AN-RM of27August 1992containing theCommercial Code ofthe
Republic ofMali;
- LawNo.63-43/AN-RM of31May1963, containing theCustoms Code oftheRepublic
ofMali;
- Ordinance No.92-021/P-CTSP of13April 1992, establishing priceliberalization and
freedom ofcompetition.
Theregulations relate chiefly toDecree 89-194/P-RM of15June1989, containing theforeign
traderegulations oftheRepublic ofMali, andDecree 89-196/P-RM, containing regulations onquantity
andquality control, prices andcustoms verification ofimport goods prior toshipment.WT/LDC/HL/12/Add.7
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(h) What arethemain instruments oftrade policy -onexports andimports? Please elaborate
(e.g.onimport restrictions, thequestions might be:onwhat products arethere anyimport bans;
onwhat products arethere quantitative import restrictions; licensing requirements, etc.; what
isthehighest tariff ratecurrently inuse;arethere anyexcise taxes, other "domestic" taxes that
areapplied differentially toimported goods, ortogoods ofatypethatareprincipally imported?).
Themain instrument oftrade policy isstillthecustom tariff.
Malidoesnotimpose anyrestrictions onimports andexports. Customs dutyandexcise taxes
totalamaximum of30percent. Thehighest taxis150percentonalcohol.
(i) IncaseyouareaWTO Member orareintheprocess ofacceding, howisyour country
preparing itself tocomply withtheWTO Agreements?
Malihasbeenanoriginal member oftheWTO since 13May1995.
Theprovisions adopted tocomply withtheWTO Agreements.
Atthepresent time, theNational Directorate ofEconomic Affairs (DNAE), partoftheMinistry
ofFinance andTrade, looks afterWTO matters.
TheMinistryofFinanceandTradereceivescorrespondenceandforwardsitthroughtheMinister
forForeign Affairs andMalians Abroad.
Adraftministerial order establishing acoordination unitforWTO andUNCTAD activities
isunder consideration.
Therepresentatives ofMalitakepartintraining courses ontheWTO Agreements organized
inGeneva andseminars arearranged inthesub-region.
National seminars havebeenorganized ontheWTO Agreements. Similarly, notifications have
beensubmitted, suchasdeferred application ofArticle VII(customs valuation), import licensing,
preshipment inspection andtrade-related investment measures.
(j) What isthestate offamiliarity withtheWTO framework:
- Among government andgovernment-related agencies?
- intheprivate sector?
Seminars atthenational levelandparticipation inseminars heldabroad aremethods thatprovide
some tradeawareness forofficials ingovernment andgovernment-related agencies aswellasexecutives
intheprivate sector. Publications ineconomic reviews orinnewspapers alsocontribute togreater
awareness. Thismustbecontinued sothatallpublic orprivate institutions engaged intrade ingoods
andservices arecovered.
(k) What areyour technical assistance requirements withregard toyour compliance with
theWTO Agreements?
Malineeds technical assistance for:WT/LDC/HL/12/Add.7
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- Thefunctioning oftheWTO activities coordination unit;
- thetraining oftrainers;
- theorganization ofseminars andworkshops;
- thecreation ofinformation focal points;
- theadaptationofourlegislationtocertainWTOprovisions(standards,technicalbarriers,
customs valuation, etc.).
(l) Inwhich specific areas oftheWTO Agreements doyouhave technical assistance needs
(e.g.market access, agriculture, rules (anti-dumping, subsidies, import licensing, rules oforigin,
safeguards etc.), TBT andSPS, services, TRIPS)?
Technical assistance isrequired forabetter command oftradetechniques, butmorespecifically
formarket access, assistance, subsidies, safeguards, TBTandSPS, services, TRIPS.
(m) What isyourassessment ofyour existing trade analysis andnegotiating capacities, both
multilateralandbilateral,inareasalreadycoveredbytheWTOAgreementsandothertrade-related
areas, e.g.competition policy andtrade andenvironment?
Inregard totrade analysis andnegotiating capacities, Malihastrade lawsandregulations.
There arealsotradesupport structures fortheprivate sector (Mali Chamber ofCommerce andIndustry),
thePermanent Assembly ofChambers ofAgriculture (APCA)) andpromotion bodies (National
Directorate ofEconomic Affairs).
These provisions andorganizations gotomake uptrade analysis capacities.
Malineeds tobuild upitspresent tradeanalysis capacity andabove allitsnegotiating capacity,
which involves more complicated techniques.
B. Obstacles oftrade expansion
Obstaclestotradeencompassingproblemsinexportmarkets,infrastructure,humancapacities,
institutional bottlenecks, trade financing problems andgapsintrade information caninhibit
aleast-developed country from taking fulladvantage oftrading opportunities.
Supply constraints, including institutional bottlenecks
(a) What arethemain bottlenecks inhibiting thedevelopment ofsustained export capacity
ofgoods andservices (e.g.customs facilitation, freight charges, quality management, elimination
ofcumbersomelegalandadministrativeprocedures,paucityofhumanskills,accessatinternational
prices toimported inputs, orinadequate telecommunication, portandtransport facilities etc.)?WT/LDC/HL/12/Add.7
Page6
- Land-locked countries mayfaceadditional problems, suchashaving toshipusing costly
orunreliable transport andports systems. Incasethisapplies toyour country, please
indicate suchproblems. What kindoftechnical assistance would helpyouwork outthese
problems?
Themain bottlenecks todeveloping sustained export capacity consist ofanumber offactors,
suchas:
- Thecountry 'ssituation; Maliisaland-locked country withshipment difficulties (high
transport costs, cumbersome transit andportformalities thatarealsocostly);
- inadequate telecommunication andtransport services;
- thequality ofexport products;
- thelackofhuman skills;
- access toinputs atinternational prices;
- lackoffinancing;
- lackofanappropriate information system;
- inadequate infrastructure andcommunication facilities;
- costofenergy.
(b) Arethere anyinstitutional bottlenecks which mayimpede theefficient conduct ofyour
country 'strade policies? Provide details. Forexample, what aretheproblems perceived bythe
different actors, e.g.exporters, producers, service providers (banks, insurance companies, quality
control, transporters, etc.), professional associations andMinistries? Areproblems mainly
perceived intheareaof:
(i) Human resources;
(ii) management oftheinstitution;
(iii) financial andmaterial resources;
(iv) communication.
Institutional bottlenecks thatmayimpede efficient conduct oftrade policies. Theproblems
reported byoperators areinthefollowing fields:
(i) Human resources
Operators complain thatthere isnotenough skilled manpower.
(ii) Management oftheinstitution
Foreign trade formalities havebeenmade easier andsimpler.WT/LDC/HL/12/Add.7
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Quality control isstilllimited, forMalidoesnothaveanoperational standardization centre.
(iii) Financial andmaterial resources
Economic operators donothavesubstantial funds andareoftenfaced withfinancing difficulties.
Theabsence ofaguarantee mechanism withfinancial institutions makes thefinancing crisis
more acute.
(iv) Communication
Trade isimpeded bycommunication facilities thatareinadequate andveryoften inverypoor
condition.
Transport costs arehighanddelivery isoften uncertain (airfreight notavailable, railway
difficulties).
(c) What arethemain bottlenecks toexport diversification?
They include:
- Lack offinancing;
- insubstantial projects;
- poormarketing;
- ignorance ofmarket opportunities;
- notenough professionalism among exporters.
(d) Ifinvestment intheproduction ofgoods andservices isinadequate, what arethemain
reasons? Please elaborate them (e.g. structural constraints, difficulties inattracting foreign
investment, limited enterprise development, financing, lackofappropriate technology, etc.)
Themain reasons forinadequate investment intheproduction ofgoods andtheservices are:
Structural constraints: geographical situation, poorandinadequate means oftransport and
communication.
Difficulties inattracting foreign investment. Ourstructural constraints donotfoster foreign
investment, which prefers togotoplaces where basic infrastructures already exist.
Limited enterprise development, especially SMEs.
Financing-financialinstitutionsfavourshort-termcreditsovermedium-orlong-terminvestment
credits.
TheSMEs faceguarantee fundproblems, forwhich there isnomechanism atpresent time.WT/LDC/HL/12/Add.7
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Lack ofappropriate technology: production techniques aremuch more craft-based andthe
onesforidentifying production arepoor.
Non-complementarity ofenterprises inthesubregion: allthecountries inthesubregion have
adopted animport substitution industrialization policy.
Noappropriate industrial zone.
(e) Isthere anational policy toencourage export-related investment opportunities? Please
elaborate. What arrangements areinplace forreviewing, drafting andnegotiating contractual
arrangements withforeign investors?
Encouragement ofexport-related investment opportunities:
TheInvestmentCodeprovidesfortheestablishmentofafreezoneforexport-orientedenterprises
tobenefit from taxexemption onimports.
TheTaxCode hasintroduced theprinciple whereby VAT orgoods andservices taxonthe
purchase price ofexport goods canbededucted.
TheCommercial Code haseased theprocedures forpersons operating astraders.
Theopportunities tomeetwithforeign investors consist of:
- Theorganization ofinvestment forums;
- participation intechnology exhibitions; and
- bilateral cooperation (consultation, jointcommission, etc.).
(f) What arethemain obstacles tothetransfer, development andacquisition oftechnology?
Isthere anynational policy/strategy inthisarea? Please elaborate.
Obstacles tothetransfer, development andacquisition oftechnology:
- Inadequate technological andintellectual skills;
- lackofattraction forforeign investors;
- inadequate infrastructures;
- costofacquisition oftechnology.
(g) What areyour technical assistance orother assistance needs with respect tosupply
constraints?
Assistance topromising sectors (training, information).WT/LDC/HL/12/Add.7
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Trade promotion andtrade support services
Trade promotion comprises anintegrated setoftechnical andfinancial services toenhance
theglobal competitiveness ofenterprises andthusfacilitate theirentry andincreasing participation
ininternational trade.
(h) Doyour enterprises, especially small andmedium enterprises, experience difficulties in
expanding their exports? What arethese problems inthemajor export sectors?
Problems ofsmall andmedium enterprises inthemajor export sectors:
Textiles: lackoffinancing, highcostofenergy, inadequate foreign market information.
Fruit andvegetables: enterprises facefinancial andorganizational problems andmarketing
problems (advertising, diversification, outlets, quality, packaging, poortransport andconservation
capacities), highfreight cost,lackofprofessionalism, etc.
Hides andskins: enterprises encounter problems inconnection withthequality ofskins,
treatment, safecontracts, littlediversification ofoutlets.
Food industry: enterprises inthissector suffers fromthelackofprofessionalism ofoperators
andalsothehighcostofexport packaging.
(i) Whataretheproblemsforyourenterprisesinobtainingreliableandup-to-dateinformation
onexport/import business opportunities?
- Problems connected withlackoforfailure tousebusiness affairs documents; frequent
ignorance ofinformation sources;
- problems ofaccess toinformation sources;
- non-utilization oftechnology andinformation (Internet, CD-ROM, diskettes).
(j) Canyour enterprises offer products ofinternationally acceptable design, quality and
packaging toforeign buyers? Ifnot,what aretheproblems?
- Yesforcotton andsesame;
- noforother products.
(k) What problems, other thaninterms oftrade policy, doyouanticipate indeveloping the
export ofservices (e.g.computer software, tourism)?
Other problems related tothedevelopment ofexport services:
- Inadequate accommodation facilities andlackofdevelopment attourist sites;
- integration difficulties forournationals inthehostcountries.WT/LDC/HL/12/Add.7
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(l) What arethetechnical/professional problems encountered bytrade support institutions
(e.g.trade promotion council, chamber ofcommerce, exporters association, etc.)inyourcountry
inproviding their services toexport/import enterprises?
- Financial problems: limited facilities forcoping withthetasks assigned tothem.
- Technical problems: poordocumentation andinadequate support fordissemination
ofinformation.
- Professionalproblems:lackoforganizationofpromotionbodies,lackofprofessionalism
andstructures ill-adapted toneeds.
(m) What problems anddeficiencies areexperienced byenterprises intheir international
purchasing andinventory management?
- Failure tomake bulkorders leads toadditional cost;
- veryoften delivery periods arelongandthismeans purchases oflarge stocks thatare
expensive tomanage;
- needtoplace large orders tocover inventory shortages;
- financing methods which increase prices;
- highcharges toc.i.f. orf.o.b. position, transit problem (high cost-harassment, lack
ofportclearance facilities, etc.).
(n) What arethepresent availability andarrangements fortrade finance facilities (e.g.export
credit guarantees, etc.)? Arethere anyperceived deficiencies inthisarea?
Present availability andarrangements fortrade finance facilities:
- There isnoexport credit guarantee mechanism;
- thebanks mainly provide transfer operations andtonotoffer pre-orpost-shipment
credit facilities.
(o) What arethemain problems inthewayofimproving export/import management skills
ofyour business enterprises? Doyouhave training programmes inthecountry? What arethe
deficiencies?
Problems inimproving export/import management skills inbusiness enterprises:
Lackofadvanced tradeschools -reluctance ofbusiness firms totraintheirpersonnel ororganize
seminars/workshops ontrade practices.
(p) Does your trade representation service actively promote your trade? What arethe
weaknesses?
- Trade representation service;WT/LDC/HL/12/Add.7
Page11
- thiskindofservice operates withlarge business enterprises, ofwhich there arefew
inMali;
- eveniftheservice didexist, itisnotresponsible forselling goods ordebtrecovery.
(q) Briefly describe yourtechnical assistance needs intheareaoftrade promotion andsupport
services.
Technical assistance needs intheareaoftrade promotion andsupport services.
Market access
(r) What areyour main market access problems?
- Inadequate supply;
- quantitative export restrictions onsome ofourproducts;
- uncompetitive industrial products, withprices affected bytransport costsandvarious
management costs because ofthecountry 'sgeographical situation;
- technical barriers totrade(packaging, product competition, etc.)anduseofsome health
standards.
(s) What specific problems orbarriers, andinwhich countries, aremost troublesome for
your exporters?
Quantitative import restrictions applied inpractice insome coastal countries andoftenafailure
toissue import licences.
(t) Regional andsubregional trading arrangements (RTAs): please listRTAs towhich your
country belongs. Areyousatisfied withtheperformance withthese RTAs? Please state the
problems ofeach. Doyouhave suggestions onhowtosolve these?
Maliisamember ofECOWAS (Economic Community ofWest African States).
ECOWAS 'sgoalismarket integration through tariffreductions, theelimination ofquantitative
restrictions, andtrade promotion.
Instruments doexist, buttheyarenotfullyapplied.
ECOWAS faces alackofwillamong themember States regarding non-complementarity of
trade products andalsotariff andnon-tariff barriers.
Maliisalsoamember oftheWAEMU (West African Economic andMonetary Union); the
treaty entered intoforce on1August 1994.
TheUnion seeks tofavour thedevelopment ofitsmember States andtoreduce development
disparities.
Amajor roleisassigned totrade bytheestablishment ofatrade transit preferential regime.WT/LDC/HL/12/Add.7
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TheWAEMU isinitsinfancy, buttheproblem ofobservance ofcommitments isstillareal
one,asisrealization oftheadvantages anddevelopment levels ofthemember States.
(u) Arethere anyproblems inutilizing theexisting market access preferences, suchasGSP,
GSTP? Please state thenature ofproblems relating toeachofthese.
These systems arelittleusedornotusedatallbyMalieconomic operators, owing to:
- Lack ofinformation about them;
- inadequate supply;
- habitual resort tosubregional markets andEuropean Union markets;
- eligibility criteria problems;
- documentary evidence problems.
Bamako, 8September 1997WT/LDC/HL/12/Add.7
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Director General
World Trade Organization (WTO)
154ruedeLausanne
1211 Geneva
Ref: Your letter, unnumbered, 7May1997
Subject: Overall assessment ofMali's
trade-related technical assistance needs
Sir,
Ihavethehonour, further toyourabove-mentioned letter, toforward herewith theelements
oftheoverall assessment ofMali'strade-related technical assistance needs, consisting of:
- AtableofMali'stechnicalassistanceneeds(preparedincooperationwithMr....,World
Bank consultant);
- reply tothequestions ontrade-related technical cooperation needs assessment.
MyGovernment isconcerned thatMalishould fullyparticipate inworld tradeandseeks greater
international technical assistance, bothimmediately andoverthelongterm, toenable mycountry to
increase itsopportunities toengage intrade andenhance itshuman andinstitutional capacities.
Accept, Sir,theexpression ofmyhighest consideration.
Soumaïla Cisse
Chevalier del'Ordre NationalWT/LDC/HL/12/Add.7
Page14
Technical Assistance Needs Submitted bytheRepublic ofMali
forBetter Participation intheWTO andinWorld Trade
Description ofT.A. desired Recipient sector Possible origin Priority
Support forthepromotion ofunder-
exploited sectors inMali: fruitand
vegetables, picking wildgrowing
species, textiles, food industry,
mining, crafts, meat, fisheries, cultural
productsMDRE
MIAT
MFC
MMEH
Private sectorUNIDO
ITC
UNCTAD
FCPB
WB
CCCE1
Support fortheestablishment ofa
trade point:
1.Training;
2.Acquisition ofequipment;
3.Access toInternetPrivate sector
Public sectorWTO
ITC
UNCTAD2
Support forestablishing acoordination
andfollow-up unitonthe
WTO Agreements andUNCTAD
(equipment, training, assistance in
information processing and
dissemination)DNAE WTO 3
Support foracquisition ofappropriate
technologyPrivate sector CID
UNIDO4
Support tostrengthen cotton
processing capacityPrivate sector UNIDO
Bilateral5
Support toestablish requisite meat
export facilitiesPrivate sector UNIDO
EU6
Support toestablish apermanent site
forfairsPrivate sector
DNAE
CCIM
APCAM
FNAMUNIDO
EU
Bilateral7
Support inestablishing areliable trade
andeconomic databankMFC
MDRE
MIATWB
ITC
EU8
Feasibility study onfruitand
vegetables andfishconservation
facilitiesPrivate sector UNIDO 9
Training ofeconomic andforeign
market analystsDNAE
DGD
DNP
MDREITC
UNCTAD
Bilateral10
Support fortheestablishment ofa
suitable export credit systemPrivate sector WB
Bilateral11
Support forimprovement offoreign
trade statisticsMFC
DNSIWCO
ITC
WB12WT/LDC/HL/12/Add.7
Page15
Description ofT.A. desired Recipient sector Possible origin Priority
Training ininternational negotiations
andexport andimport managementPrivate andpublic
sectorsITC
UNCTAD
WTO13
Technical assistance formonitoring
andassessing thevarious sectorsMDRE
MFC
MIAT
Private sectorUNIDO
Bilateral14
Support intraining trainers, to
moderate seminars onthe
WTO AgreementsMFC
MDRE
MCC
MIATWTO 15
Special seminars ontherules inthe
WTO Agreements onagriculture,
services, TRIPS, etc.MDRE
MFC
MCC
MIAT
Private sectorWTO
WIPO16
Study onsetting upanational quality
control systemDGRE
DNI
DNAE
DNGMITC
UNCTAD
WTO17
Support foraninventory ofMali's
mining resourcesMMEH UNDP
EU18
Support toestablish industrial zones in
thevarious regionsMIAT
MFC
Private sectorUNIDO
WB
EU19
Support forstandardization activities
(seminars, facilities)DNIndustry WTO
ITC20
Support forprofessional organization
capacity buildingPrivate sector ITC
WB21
Support fortheestablishment ofmulti-
disciplinary standards andquality
control centres (agricultural products)DGRC FAO
UNDP22
Seminars totrain officials incustoms
valuationDGD WCO 23
Financial support forthepurchase of
documentation (specialized reviews)DNAE
MDRE
DNIndISO
WTO
ITC24
Evaluation study ofWTO 'simpact on
Mali, elaboration ofadjustment
strategiesMinistry ofFinance
andTradeWTO
UNCTAD25
Support fortheimplementation ofthe
WTO AgreementsMFC WTO 26
Technical support formonitoring cases
ofdumping andsubsidies andaction
withWTODNAE WTO
ITC27WT/LDC/HL/12/Add.7
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Description ofT.A. desired Recipient sector Possible origin Priority
Support formonitoring andprotecting
intellectual property rightsMCC
MIAT
MFCWTO
WIPO
UNESCO
FIPP28WT/LDC/HL/12/Add.7
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Integrated Response
Technical assistance needs identified in
thequestionnaireOrganization Response
Inresponse toquestion A(k):
Technical assistance forcompliance
withtheWTO Agreements
Functioning ofthecoordination unitfor
WTO activitiesWTO TheWTO willsupport thecoordination
unitforWTO activities sothatitcan
function effectively. Thissupport will
consist more particularly inproviding the
unitwithsome equipment, including
computer equipment; documentation on
themultilateral trading system andits
activities. (1998-2000).
Training oftrainers WTO -Athree-week trade policy training
course willbeorganized for
francophone least developed
countries, including Mali (1998 and
1999).
-Themodalities fortraining Malian
trainers areunder consideration, to
supplement thetraining course.
Organization ofseminars and
workshopsWB/WTO/ITC Aseminar wasorganized inApril 1997
oninternational trade institutions and
economics. Thefollow-up onspecific
topics isprogrammed fortheperiod after
theintroduction oftheCET inthe
WAEMU.
WTO TheWTO willbeabletoorganize
seminars andworkshops forthe
francophone least developed countries
(1998 and1999).
Creation ofinformation focal points
UNDP/
UNCTAD/ITCUNDP isfinancing aforthcoming study
onMali'sforeign trade which should
leadtothedefinition ofaninstitutional
structure toconduct andpromote such
trade.
WTO TheWTO willbeabletoprovide
logistical support tothefocal point for
questions pertaining tothemultilateral
trading system. Such support will
include anInternet link-up (1998-2000).
(SeealsoC(d) below).
Question A(k) (cont'd):WT/LDC/HL/12/Add.7
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Technical assistance needs identified in
thequestionnaireOrganization Response
Adaptation ofournational legislation to
certain WTO provisions (e.g.
standards, technical barriers, valuation,
etc.)WB Thisisacomponent oftheprivate sector
support project.
WTO TheWTO isready toprovide Mali with
assistance inadapting itslaws and
regulations totheWTO Agreements. A
mission willbesenttodetermine the
nature oftheassistance. (1998-2000).
Support forthetraining oftrainers as
moderators forseminars onthe
WTO AgreementsWTO SeeA(k) above.
Evaluation study oftheimpact ofthe
WTO onMali, definition ofadaptation
strategiesUNCTAD Thiswillbetaken overbyUNCTAD,
which willdevise aproject toevaluate
theWTO 'simpact onthecountry 's
economic situation, withaview to
adapting Government policy tothenew
trading environment.*
UNDP UNDP could, incollaboration withthe
World Bank andUNCTAD, tooverpart
ofthecostofthisstudy, either under the
newprogramme ofassistance tothe
private sector orunder aregional
programme.
WB Thisforms partofthePoverty and
Growth Study, Economic Management
Project.
Support forimplementation ofthe
WTO AgreementsWB Technical assistance could beprovided in
thisregard inthecontext ofthe
WAEMU trade policy reform and
possible reform-related structural loans.
WTO TheWTO isready toprovide Mali with
assistance inadapting itslaws and
regulations totheWTO Agreements and
allother matters pertaining tothe
implementation oftheAgreements, more
particularly inregard tonotifications.
(1998-2000).WT/LDC/HL/12/Add.7
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Technical assistance needs identified
inthequestionnaireOrganization Response
Inresponse toquestion A(l):
Technical assistance inspecific areas
oftheWTO Agreements
Technical assistance isrequired fora
better command oftrade techniques,
butmore specifically formarket
access, assistance, subsidies,
safeguards, TBT andSPS, services,
TRIPS.UNDP Under thefuture programme ofassistance to
theprivate sector nowbeing formulated,
UNDP could finance national capacity
building (more particularly through training)
fortrade policy formulation.
UNDP/
UNCTAD/
ITCTheactivities defined inthisconnection will
besynchronized withthose undertaken atthe
subregional level, withfinancing from the
Programme oftheRegional Bureau for
Africa.
WB/WTO Asabove; inaddition, theInternet link-up
withWCO could beenvisaged inconnection
withthejoint WB/WTO site.
WTO SeeA(k).
Special seminars ontherules ofthe
WTO Agreements onagriculture,
services, TRIPS, etc.WB These topics form partofthefollow-up tothe
Dakar seminar heldinApril 1997.
WTO SeeA(k).
Seminars totrain officials incustoms
valuationWB/(WCO) Technical assistance under thereform ofthe
Customs administration.
WTO SeeA(k).
Technical support tomonitor cases of
dumping andsubsidies, andaction in
WTOWTO Mali could beprovided withtechnical
assistance inthecontext oftheimplementation
oftheAnti-Dumping andtheSubsidies and
Countervailing Measures Agreements.
Such assistance willconsist ingiving opinions
ondumping/subsidies cases andsolutions to
resolve alleged/real cases. (1998-2000).
Support formonitoring and
protecting intellectual property rightsWTO Pursuant totheTechnical Cooperation
Agreement between theWTO andWIPO,
assistance willbeprovided totrain Malian
personnel intheform ofdissemination of
information aswellasthesupply ofteaching
materials.
*Financing toberequested.WT/LDC/HL/12/Add.7
Page20
Technical assistance needs identified
inthequestionnaireOrganization Response
Inresponse toquestion A(m):
Assessment oftrade analysis and
negotiating capacities
Trade analysis andnegotiating
capacities: Mali hastrade laws and
regulations. There arealsotrade
support structures fortheprivate
sector (Mali Chamber ofCommerce
andIndustry, Permanent Assembly of
Chambers ofAgriculture) and
promotion bodies (National
Directorate ofEconomic Affairs).
UNCTAD TRAINFORTRADE: Astudy hasbeen
undertaken oftraining needs. Thefollow-up
isunder discussion.*
UNDP
UNDP/
UNCTAD/
(UNIDO)
UNDP/
UNCTAD/
ITCUnder thefuture private sector assistance
programme nowbeing formulated, UNDP
could finance national capacity building (more
particularly through training) fortrade policy
formulation.
ItisalsoUNDP 'sintention tofinance the
actual establishment oftheprivate investment
promotion centre, ofwhich thetechnological
information centre isacomponent.
Theactivities defined inthisconnection will
besynchronized withthose undertaken atthe
subregional level.
These provisions andstructures goto
make uptrade analysis capacities.
Mali needs tobuild upitspresent
trade analysis capacity andabove all
itsnegotiating capacity, which
involves more complicated
techniques.UNDP/
ITC/
UNCTADUnder thefuture private sector assistance
programme nowbeing formulated, UNDP
could finance national capacity building (more
particularly through training) fortrade policy
formulation.
Furthermore amarketing andbusiness
management training projects for
entrepreneurs isbeing approved. Itisthe
GERMES project, which willbeimplemented
withthecollaboration oftheMali National
Federation ofEnterprises.
Theactivities defined inthisconnection will
besynchronized withthose undertaken atthe
subregional level.
WTO Intheshort trade policy training courses
(compare A(k) above), atraining component
willbeincluded intheprogramme inorder to
familiarize participants withtrade
negotiations.
*Financing toberequestedWT/LDC/HL/12/Add.7
Page21
Technical assistance needs identified
inthequestionnaireOrganization Response
Training ofeconomic andforeign
market analysts
*Financing toberequestedWT/LDC/HL/12/Add.7
Page22
Technical assistance needs identified
inthequestionnaireOrganization Response
Inresponse toquestion B(g):
Technical assistance needs with
respect tosupply constraintsIMF Mali isamember oftheWest African
Economic andMonetary Union (WAEMU).
Inthisconnection, theIMF hasurged the
Malian authorities topress fortheadoption of
alowcommon external tariff by1January
1998, withrates of0,5,10,and20percent,
andatemporary maximum tariff of25per
cent, sothatthisregional grouping can
function asabuilding block toward
liberalizing multilateral freetrade.
Support fortheacquisition of
appropriate technology
UNDP UNDP intends tofinance theestablishment of
atechnological information centre.
WB TheEconomic Management Project covers
theacquisition ofelectronic equipment and
training forthecustoms administration.
Feasibility study onfruitand
vegetables, fishandother
conservation facilitiesWB Agro-food industry support project since
1995.
Support fortheestablishment ofa
suitable export credit system
Technical assistance formonitoring
andassessing thevarious sectorsITC Amission toidentify supply andexport
potentials willbecarried outinNovember
1997 byITCwithUNDP support. Thiswill
alsomake itpossible todetermine technical
cooperation needs.
Study onsetting upanational quality
andmanagement system-
Support foraninventory ofMali's
mining resourcesWB Discussions under wayinthecontext ofthe
mining capacity support project.
Support toestablish industrial zones
inthevarious regions ofMali
Support forstandardization activities
(seminars, facilities)ITC Regional support activities willbedetermined
inthecourse ofthemission mentioned above.
Standardization facilities could benefit from
thecurrent interregional standardization
programme.
Support fortheestablishment of
multidisciplinary standards and
quality control centres (agricultural
products)ITC Seeabove.
*Financing toberequestedWT/LDC/HL/12/Add.7
Page23
Technical assistance needs identified
inthequestionnaireOrganization Response
Inresponse toquestion B(q):
Technical assistance needs inthearea
oftrade promotion andsupport
services
Support fortheestablishment ofa
trade point:
1.Training
2.Acquisition ofequipment
3.Access toInternetUNCTAD/
ITCAtrade point willbeestablished. The
programme willbeaccompanied byanumber
oftraining activities onthetools forMali to
linkupwiththeWorld Trade Point
Network.*
UNDP UNDP intends, under theprivate sector
assistance programme, tosupport withother
donors theestablishment andconsolidation of
atrade point inMali.
Support tostrengthen cotton
processing capacity
Support toestablish requisite meat
export facilitiesWB Study provided forinthecontext ofthe
Growth Study.
Support toestablish apermanent site
forfairsITC Support toentrepreneurs inMali toparticipate
infairs isprovided forunder current projects
todevelop intra-regional trade.
Training ininternational negotiations
andexport andimport managementITC/
UNCTAD/
UNDPStrengthening ofinternational trade training
institutions iscovered. SeeA(m).
UNDP UNDP could, inthecontext ofitssupport to
theprivate sector, alsocontribute, in
collaboration withother donors, tothe
financing oftherequisite technical assistance
toestablish aforeign trade promotion
structure inMali, incollaboration withITC.
WTO SeeA(m).
Support forprofessional organization
capacity building
*Financing toberequested.WT/LDC/HL/12/Add.7
Page24
Technical assistance needs identified
inthequestionnaireOrganization Response
Inresponse toquestion B(v):
Technical assistance needs with
respect tomarket access
Support toestablish areliable trade
andeconomic databank onMali
Support forimprovement offoreign
trade statistics
ITC SeeB(g)andB(q). TheTOPS business
opportunity databank forECOWAS member
countries willbemade available tothe
Ministry ofTrade.
UNDP Assistance insupplying statistical datafor
COMTRADE.
WB TheWorld Bank hasanoutreach programme
foritsdatabases.
Financial support forpurchase
documentation (specialized reviews)
*Financing toberequested.WT/LDC/HL/12/Add.7
Page25
Technical assistance needs identified
inthequestionnaireOrganization Response
Inresponse toquestion C(b).
Summary oftechnical assistance
needs interms ofpriority
1.Support forthepromotion of
underexploited sectors inMali:
fruitandvegetables, picking
wildgrowing species, textiles,
food industry, mining, crafts,
meat, fisheries, cultural
products.
ITC Refer toB(g), which willmake itpossible to
design atechnical cooperation project.
Activities topromote thetextile andleather
sectors areenvisaged under current projects.
WB Support projects forthefood industry and
mining capacity. SeeA(l)andB(g).
2.Support fortheestablishment of
atrade point:
1.Training
2.Acquisition ofequipment
3.Access toInternetUNCTAD SeeB(q).
3.Support forestablishing a
coordination andfollow-up unit
ontheWTO Agreements and
UNCTAD (equipment, training,
assistance ininformation
processing anddissemination).WTO SeeA(k).
4.Support foracquisition of
appropriate technologyWB TheEconomic Management Project covers
theacquisition ofelectronic equipment and
training fortheCustoms administration.
WTO SeeC(d).
5.Support tostrengthen cotton
processing capacity
6.Support toestablish requisite
meat export facilitiesWB SeeB(q).
7.Support toestablish apermanent
siteforfairsITC SeeB(q).
8.Support toestablish areliable
trade andeconomic databank
onMaliITC/
UNDP/
WBSeeB(v).
*Financing toberequested.WT/LDC/HL/12/Add.7
Page26
Technical assistance needs identified
inthequestionnaireOrganization Response
9.Feasibility study onfruitand
vegetables, fishandother
conservation facilitiesWB SeeA(l).
*Financing toberequested.WT/LDC/HL/12/Add.7
Page27
Technical assistance needs identified
inthequestionnaireOrganization Response
Question C(b) (cont'd):
10.Training ofeconomic and
foreign market analysts
11.Support fortheestablishment of
asuitable export credit system
12.Support forimprovement of
foreign trade statisticITC/UNDP/
WBSeeB(q)andB(v).
13.Training ininternational
negotiations andexport and
import managementUNCTAD SeeA(m).
ITC SeeB(q).
WB
WTO
ITCAseminar wasorganized inApril 1997 on
international trade institutions andeconomics.
Thefollow-up onspecific topics is
programmed fortheperiod after the
introduction oftheCET intheWAEMU.
SeeA(k).
WTO SeeA(m).
14.Technical assistance for
monitoring andassessing the
various sectors
15.Support intraining trainers as
moderators forseminars onthe
WTO AgreementsWTO SeeA(k).
16.Special seminars ontherules of
theWTO Agreements on
agriculture, services, TRIPS,
etc.WTO SeeA(l).
17.Study onsetting upanational
quality andmanagement system
18.Support foraninventory of
Mali'smining resourcesWB SeeB(g).
19.Support toestablish industrial
zones inthevarious regions of
Mali
20.Support forstandardization
activities (seminars, facilities)WTO SeeA(l).
21.Support forprofessional
organization capacity buildingITC SeeB(g).
*Financing toberequested.WT/LDC/HL/12/Add.7
Page28
Technical assistance needs identified
inthequestionnaireOrganization Response
22.Support fortheestablishment of
multidisciplinary standards and
quality control centres
(agricultural products)
*Financing toberequested.WT/LDC/HL/12/Add.7
Page29
Technical assistance needs identified
inthequestionnaireOrganization Response
Question C(b) (cont'd):
23.Seminars totrain officials in
customs valuation
WB TheEconomic Management Project covers
acquisition ofelectronic equipment and
training fortheCustoms administration.
SeeC(b)4.
WTO SeeA(l).
24.Financial support forpurchase
ofdocumentation (specialized
reviews)
25.Evaluation study ofWTO 's
impact onMali, elaboration of
adjustment strategiesUNCTAD SeeA(k).
26.Support fortheimplementation
oftheWTO agreementsWTO SeeA(k) andA(l).
27.Technical support for
monitoring cases ofdumping
andsubsidies andaction inthe
WTOWTO SeeA(k) andA(l).
28.Support formonitoring and
protecting intellectual property
rightsWTO SeeA(k) andA(l).
*Financing toberequested.WT/LDC/HL/12/Add.7
Page30
Technical assistance needs identified inthe
questionnaireOrganization Response
Inresponse toquestion C(d):
Technological capacity andhuman
resources tomake useofthenew
information technology tools WTO TheWTO willbeabletoprovide a
computer andalaser printer forthe
government focal point for
multilateral trading system issues.
(1998)
TheWTO willalsobeabletoprovide
thenecessary link-up ofthefocal
point withInternet andsupply Mali
withCD-Roms. Training intheuse
ofcomputer andelectronic equipment
willalsobeprovided. (1998)
*Financing toberequested.