WORLD TRADE WT/MIN(96)/ST/106
12December 1996
ORGANIZATION(96-5277)
Original: Spanish MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE
Singapore, 9-13December 1996
PERU
Statement byMrs. Lilliana Canale
Special Presidential Envoy
MayIcongratulate you,Mr.Chairman, onyourelection topreside overtheworkofthishistoric
Conference. Mydelegation alsocongratulates theother officers oftheConference working alongside
you.
Inrecent years, Peruhasbeenvigorously implementing aprogramme ofsweeping structural
reforms, probably themostadvanced inLatin America. Theprogramme unreservedly espouses the
postulates offreetradeandtherefore coincides fullywiththeprinciples andobjectives which theWorld
Trade Organization hasbeenconsistently pursuing intheinternational arena. Obviously, thisgoes
beyond tradeliberalization, extending toafundamental redefinition oftheroleoftheState, theopening
oftheeconomy, themodernization ofinstitutions andthefullinvolvement oftheprivate sector inthe
development anddefence oftheeconomic model.
Peru'svision ofthefuture isbased onthenurturing andexploitation ofgenuine competitive
advantages bytheprivate sector andtheconstant improvement oftheefficiency oftheeconomy, with
theStateproviding alevelplaying fieldforalltheplayers anddefending theirinterests ininternational
fora. Thisapproach willbanish thespectre ofprotectionism andstimulate healthy competition. Free
trade andinvestment mustgenerate economic growth, more jobsandabetter quality oflifeforour
people. Thisiswhyitissoimportant toliberalize investment inkeeping withtheprinciples of
non-discrimination andnational treatment.
Thisnewinternationaltradingsystemhasnoplaceforprotectionismofanykindwhichinevitably
distorts thefoundations offreetrade. Thisforum hasnouseforwatertight compartments inwhich
certain products aredealtwithoutside thegeneral framework oftrade depending onthesupplier, or
fortheimposition orthreat oftradesanctions associated withnon-trade considerations. Suchpractices
aretantamount todisguised protectionism, which onlypenalizes efficiency andjeopardizes thesustained
growth offreetrade.
Trade liberalization andenvironmental protection neednotbeincompatible. Onthecontrary,
theyshould bemutually supportive inthequest forsustainable development. Hence theneedforthe
WTO 'sCommittee onTrade andEnvironment tocontinue itsstudy ofthisimportant topic, though
careshould betaken toprevent theintroduction ofdisguised protectionist measures ostensibly based
onenvironmental considerations.
Initiatives suchasthestudy oftherelationship between trade andinvestment being conducted
within theWTO, andinparticular itsimplications forthetransfer oftechnology, should besupported
andconsidered assteps intherightdirection, aswellasawayofputting theory intopractice soas
tomaximize advantages. Fordeveloping countries, foreign investment andaccess totechnologies and
markets areofparticular importance, forboththeireconomic andtheirtechnological advancement.
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Accordingly, Peruwelcomes theestablishment ofaworking group tostudy therelationship
between trade andcompetition rules andpolicies withaviewtoreaching aconsensus around certain
principles thatcould thenbeadopted attheinternational level.
Atthesame time, wecannot omittomention theneedtostepupthetechnical cooperation
provided bytheWTO todeveloping countries, toenable themtoimplement fullytheircommitments.
Webelieve thatthiswould contribute tothesuccess ofourmultilateral trading system which isgetting
offtosuchanauspicious start.
Finally, wemustreiterate theimportance ofhaving transparent rulestogovern thatmultilateral
trading system. Thatiswhywetookanactive partintheUruguay Round and,withtheunanimous
approval oftheFinal ActbyourCongress, became oneoftheoriginal Members oftheWorld Trade
Organization.
Before concluding mystatement, Ishould liketoconvey myGovernment 'sappreciation and
thanks tothepeople andGovernment ofSingapore fororganizing thisFirstMinisterial Conference
oftheWorld Trade Organization soefficiently, andforwelcoming ussowarmly.