WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  G/IT/W/10 
26 February 2004 
 (04-0809) 
Committee of Participants on the Expansion of Trade in 
Information Technology Products Original:   English 
 
 
 
CONCEPTUAL PROPOSAL FOR AN ITA SYMPOSIUM ON  
RECENT TRENDS AND DEVELOPMENTS IN THE 
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SECTOR 
 
Communication from the United States and Canada  
 
  The following communication, dated 25 February 2004, is being circulated at the request of 
the Delegations of the United States and Canada. 
 
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 Background
 
 
 The information technology sector is one of th e most dynamic sectors in the global economy.  
Technological development advances at such a fast pa ce, the life-cycles of products is often less than 
two years.  It is difficult for governments, including those most active in the Information Technology Agreement, which was negotiated in 1997, to keep p ace with the trends in this rapidly changing sector 
and to find ways to take advantage of the ITA’s benefits.   The following proposal for a WTO ITA 
Symposium on Evolution of Information Technology and Trade in IT products is designed to help 
members keep up to date with the technology and product development to ensure that work 
undertaken in the ITA is relevant and helpful to the trade.    In 1999, the ITA Committee held a Symposium wi th a similar purpose, which was helpful in 
setting the subsequent agenda of the ITA Committee, particularly with respect to non-tariff barriers.  
However, in the five intervening years, new technologies, new products and new barriers have 
emerged.   In addition, a number of new Members have  joined the ITA, reflecting the wide interest in 
this highly globalized sector from both developed and developing country Members.  It would thus 
seem appropriate to consider holding another ITA Symposium to update the knowledge level of all 
Members on the evolution of the sector and trade in it, to analyze the current nature of barriers to 
trade in IT products, and to assist new members in determining how best to take advantage of their 
Membership.   The attached conceptual outline of a possible symposium is designed to stimulate discussion 
on possible topics for discussion, and provides some  suggestions for discussion on possible timing, 
possible means for funding such an ev ent and suggestions on participation. 
  Funding for such an event would be a challenge  if it were to take place in 2004.  However, 
sources of funding should be expl ored, including from WTO and other possible donor sources.   This 
issue will require further attention should the con cept of an event be attractive to the Membership. 
 
 G/IT/W/10 
Page 2  
 
 Concept and Possible Programme
 
 ITA Symposium
 
 Suggested Purpose/Objectives
 
 
• Update ITA and other WTO Members on deve lopments in information technology, its 
application to products, and the evolving nature of trade (where it is and where it is going). 
 • Elicit updated information on the nature of non-tariff barriers to trade in IT products. 
 
• Assess the role of IT trade in supporting deve lopment in those markets where liberalization has 
occurred.  Identify challenges to trade in  IT associated with development needs. 
 Suggested Participation
 
 
• Representatives from ITA member capitals and Geneva delegations, private sector participants 
(developed and developing Members), academics expe rt in IT technologies and other interested 
WTO Member representatives (Geneva based). 
 Initial Proposed Program (Assuming a 1 - 1½ day Symposium and ½ day for new entrants)
 
 
Day 1:   Primary Symposium Activity (possibly to extend to second day morning.)  
 • Panel 1:   Experience under the ITA: six year  trends in IT trade and global supply chain 
development   
 
 Suggested speakers:  WTO Secretariat or ac ademic expert to describe the trends in 
trade patterns since ITA was concluded, several business representatives to describe 
how they are doing business differently as a result of ITA , and the products most 
widely traded under the ITA. 
 
• Panel 2:   Evolution of Information Technology Since Conclusion of ITA in 1997 and how 
industry is adapting the new technologies, e.g., the nature of product development and 
likely production trends .   
   
 Suggested speakers:  academic/business experts in IT that focus on future trends in 
technology and trade, including a review of  the production trends and their impact on 
trade in ITA products. 
 
Luncheon: (possible luncheon event with speaker from IT field 
 • Panel 3: Assessment of key remaining barriers to trade in IT products (e.g., non-tariff 
barriers). 
 
Suggested speakers: WTO Secretariat describing current workprogram, which 
highlights barriers identified in 1999, a nd industry representatives from developing 
and developed countries.   
 • Panel 4: Potential development gains from  ITA membership: how can the ITA help 
development? 
 
Suggested speakers: WTO Secretariat, acade mics, industry and government officials  G/IT/W/10 
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Possible Reception to Facilitate In terchange Between Participants 
 Day 2: Assistance to New Members
 (NOTE: If 1½ day required for primary agenda, the New 
Member portion could take place in the afternoon of the second day.) 
 
• Morning technical assistance/training session for new members reviewing current agenda of the 
ITA Committee, outstanding issues and challenges faced in implementing the ITA. 
  WTO Secretariat and interested Members. 
 
• Possible interaction between new member delegations and business representatives to foster 
greater communication about interests, investment opportunities, etc.  
 
Other Issues for Consideration 
 
Venue  
 • To be determined, although Geneva may be necessary for organizational reasons 
 Timing
 
 
• Third or Fourth Quarter of 2004 to permit organization of the event. 
 
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