WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONWT/MIN(01)/ST/138
12 November 2001
(01-5735)
MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE
Fourth Session
Doha, 9 - 13 November 2001Original:  English
SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY
Statement Circulated by the Honourable Peter Kaleso
Chairperson of SADC Ministers of Trade
(As an Observer)
On behalf of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) I have the honour to
convey our gratitude to the Government and people of the State of Qatar for hosting us at this Fourth
WTO Ministerial Conference.
The Fourth WTO Ministerial Conference is taking place at a time when the global economy is
facing a slowdown, which is even perceived by some observers as being the worst  since the Second
World War.
Ministers would recall that since the coming into force of the Uruguay Round Agreements,
SADC members have been encountering tremendous difficulties in the implementation process in
view of the asymmetries embedded within these agreements.
We believe in the multilateral trading system as an instrument to promote economic
development, facilitate integration of SADC member States into the world economy and eradication
of poverty.  We however note with concern that there has been limited progress in addressing
implementation issues, particularly those of importa nce to SADC countries, thus threatening further
marginalization of SADC countries.  Bearing in mind the limited capacity of SADC countries to
effectively participate in the multilateral trading system, SADC Ministers see the urgency in theimmediate provision of adequate financial, institutional, technological and technical assistance in
order to address the existing imbalances within the system.
The key issue for the Doha Conference is to achieve a fundamental development agenda that
will address the existing imbalances within the multilateral trading system.
SADC reaffirms that Special and Differential Treatment for developing countries is a core
principle of the WTO.  The rationale for Special and Differential Treatment remains valid for
developing countries in general, and SADC countries in particular, given the structural  weaknesses in
our economies and the respective declining share of world trade.  Furthermore, SADC affirms hercommitment to ensuring that S & D  provisions are made meaningful and operational by adopting a
decision at Doha to make  them legally binding.
The importance of agriculture in the economies of SADC member States cannot be
overstated.  Notwithstanding geographic and climatic diversity and other country specificities, the
agricultural sector in SADC member States is the main source of rural livelihoods and, in general,
employs more than two-thirds of the labour force.  Preferential schemes  that guarantee access ofWT/MIN(01)/ST/138
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African products are therefore key to sustaining the livelihood and employment situation in SADC
and other African countries.
Given the role of agriculture in the SADC region, the reform process should:
• Strengthen the rules and disciplines governing trade in agriculture to promote
development;
• ensure that trade liberalization takes into account developmental issues such as food
security, sustainable rural development and poverty alleviation;
• ensure commercially viable market access for all agricultural products originating in
developing countries including those at the higher end of the processing chain;
• level the playing field in the international trading system, taking into account
different structural constraints among countries.
SADC calls upon the WTO to address problems arising from high levels of protection and
domestic support in developed countries and for a reduction of tariff peaks and tariff escalations.
SADC welcomes the decision taken on ag riculture on Net Food-Importing Developing
Countries (NFIDC) and the estab lishment of the revolving fund to meet food import bills, in
accordance with future price increase above a certain threshold, on condition that imports are from
open and competitive markets.
SADC recognizes the progress made on Trade in Services for the economic growth and
development of all trading partners but would like to see progressive liberalization while recognizing
the national policy objectives and varying developing levels of SADC countries.  Negotiations should
be guided by the objectives of Articles IV and XIX of GATS;  as the processes of regional integration
form part of our collective approach to the multilateral trading system.
With regard to access to medicines, SADC reaffirms the flexibility contained in the TRIPS
Agreements, whereby Members can take actions to allow for easy access to medicines to combat
communicable diseases, in particular HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria be upheld.
SADC also reiterates the need for the protection of traditional knowledge in line with the
Convention on Biological Diversity.
Action should be taken towards the realization of technology transfer objectives as envisaged
in Articles 7, 8 and 66.2 of the TRIPS Agreement a nd other relevant provisions of WTO Agreements.
SADC recognizes that the existing trade preferences that have been accorded historically to
developing countries should be made more meanin gful and binding.  New or enhanced preferences
should be granted to developing countries and LDCs over and above the terms and conditions of
existing preferential market access including through a combination of less stringent Rules of Origin,
SPS Measures  and technical requirements.
SADC expresses serious concern on the  continued delay in granting a waiver for the ACP-EU
Partnership Agreement and further calls on the WTO Members to expeditiously grant the waiver for
the Cotonou Agreement.
Regarding Singapore issues, SADC recognize that issues such as trade and investment,
competition, transparency in Government procurement, trade facilitation, trade and environment andWT/MIN(01)/ST/138
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e-commerce are important.  However, SADC is of the view that these issues are not a priority at this
stage and that the on-going study processes should continue in order to prepare for possible future
work.
SADC reiterates the decision taken at the Singapore Ministerial Conference, regarding core
labour standards.
SADC member States support the establishment of a work programme for small economies
and working groups on trade and debt, and technology transfer under the auspices of the General
Council.
With regard to Market Access for Non-Agriculture products the position of SADC is that
negotiations on industrial tariffs is conditional on a clear demonstration of commitment of developed
countries to provide meaningful market access for exports from least-developed countries, small
economies and landlocked countries, and developing countries with the view to eliminating protection
for industries for which SADC member States possess competitive advantage.  SADC also recognizes
that effective participation in negotiations in this area must be preceded by technical analysis toidentify precisely, the challenges and opportunities involved in industrial tariff negotiations.
On capacity building and technical assistance, the SADC Ministers note the urgent action
needed in strengthening negotiating capacities of SADC member States.  In this respect the SADC
Ministers call for a significant increase in the WTO and UNCTAD regular and extra budgetaryprovisions to enable planning and programming for technical assistance and capacity building.
SADC calls on WTO Members to grant her permanent observer status.SADC calls for a decision to be taken in Doha on transparent and inclusive decision-making
in WTO that is vital in maintaining confidence in the organization.
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