. /.WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONWT/MIN(99)/ST/118
2 December 1999
(99-5313)
MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE
Third SessionSeattle, 30 November - 3 December 1999Original:  English
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
Statement by the Honourable Mervyn Assam ,
Minister of Trade, Industry and Consumer Affairs
We are meeting on the eve of the 21st century, under the unfavourable glare of the public eye
and of the world media, to determine the future  structure of the international trading system.
It is undeniable that the multilateral trading system has contributed to economic growth,
prosperity and development over the past 50 years.  Nor should there be any doubt about thecommitment of WTO Member countries and its developing country Members in particular, to a
liberalized, fair and equitable rules-based world trading system.
This, the Third Session of the Ministerial Conference, provides us with the ideal opportunity
to identify the WTO's strengths and shortcomings, addressing the latter with a view to strengtheningthe Organization and making it more responsive to the needs and concerns of its many constituents.
That is precisely why the developing countries have insisted on a detailed examination of
implementation of the individual Uruguay Round Ag reements with a view to correcting existing
imbalances and inequities.
It must be acknowledged that the developing countries have experienced problems and
difficulties in their attempts to comply with their obligations and have not benefited as predicted fromthe Uruguay Round.  This is especially true for the least developed countries, the small and vulnerable
economies and countries in transition.
Although already overburdened by the commitments undertaken in the Uruguay Round,
developing countries are now being urged to agr ee to a new round that would include new issues as
well as the built-in agenda.  Implementation issues are however, as important as agriculture and
services.  Therefore, in our view, the proposal to have implementation issues examined by a study
group that will report to the Fourth Ministerial is unacceptable.  What is needed is immediate adoption
by this Conference of the recommendations aimed at resolving these implementation problems.
Very early in the preparatory process, the phras e "development round" was used to describe a
possible new round of multilateral trade negotiations.  However, today as we deal with the inability of
Member countries in Geneva to reach consensus on a draft text for the Ministerial Declaration, the
notion of a development round that would make the interests of the developing countries primordial
seems to have fallen by the wayside.  The intransigence of countries and their refusal to take accountof the interests, concerns and problems of others is highly regrettable.
Apart from implementation and development, an y new round must perforce look at WTO's
methodologies and working procedures that militate against effective participation by developing
countries.WT/MIN(99)/ST/118
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As regards the inclusion of civil society, there is room for governments to facilitate
information sharing, awareness building and debate on WTO issues at the national level.  However,
the direct participation of non-governmental organizations in the workings of this intergovernmental
body may not be propitious as long as Member countries continue to experience difficulties in
participating fully and effectively in the work and deliberations of the WTO.
It should be recalled that in the Geneva Declaration, Ministers renewed their commitment to
ensure that the benefits of the multilateral trading system be extended as widely as possible, and
expressed deep concern over the marginalization of least-developed countries and certain small
economies.
As a small, island-developing economy, Trinidad and Tobago places particular emphasis and
importance on the recognition within the WTO, as is the case with other international and
intergovernmental organizations, of the peculiar problems, vulnerabilities and specificities of small
economies.  In this regard, it would be timely for the WTO to establish a work programme on small
economies.  The objective of this programme would be to assist the integration of these economies
into the multilateral trading system.
Technical assistance and capacity-building activities are critical for facilitating the
meaningful participation of small economies in the global economy.  Effective market access for
products and services produced by these small economies is a sine qua non  for their development.
We also must never forget the importance of technology transfer for the social and economictransformation of our countries.
The principle of operationalized special and differential treatment for developing countries
must be acknowledged and implemented and in particular for small states that are disadvantaged by
small market size, limited natural resources, lack of technologies and financial resources andvulnerability to natural disasters.
Furthermore, existing trade preferences between developed and developing countries to
facilitate the phased and smooth integration of developing countries into the multilateral trading
system must be maintained.  Ministers should therefore support the granting of necessary waivers in
favour of developing countries, which benefit from preferential market access and terms of trade.
Trinidad and Tobago is committed to the multi lateral trading system.  At the same time we
are convinced that regional trade agreements strengthen the multilateral system rather than detract
from it by enabling small countries to develop inter alia  economies of scale, product quality,
competitiveness and secure export markets.
In your opening comments you spoke convincingly of the need to leave Seattle with a
Declaration that is balanced and reflective of the interests of all of the WTO Members.  I too share
your lofty and noble sentiment.
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