WORLD TRADE WT/MIN(98)/ST/82
18May1998
ORGANIZATION(98-2086)
Original: English MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE
Second Session
Geneva, 18and20May1998
ZAMBIA
Statement Circulated bytheHon. Syamukayumbu Syamujaye,
Minister ofMines andMinerals Development
ThisSecond Ministerial Conference comes atanappropriate moment. Fifty years ago,a
challenge wastaken topromote international trade.
Considerable progress hasbeenmade ontrade liberalization, butthere isstillmuch more to
bedoneinsuchareas suchasagriculture andtextiles. Continued tradeliberalization andstrengthening
oftheopenrule-based non-discriminatory multilateral trading system remain veryimportant. Butwe
should remind ourselves thatonlytheactions thatindividual countries undertake willingly andnotunder
structural orinstitutional coercion could leadtolasting andfairliberalization. Zambia remains fully
committed totheprocess oftrade liberalization.
Implementation oftheUruguay Round commitments should bepursued since thecredibility
ofWTO depends onit.TheWTO Agreements areveryspecific about thetiming oftheimplementation
ofvariousobligations.However,countrieslikeminehavefacedconstraintsanddifficultiesincomplying
withallobligations. These constraints areintheareaofthelackoftechnical capacity andresources.
Thisunfortunately hasledtoourforfeiting certain rights thatwould otherwise beveryimportant to
us.Toensure effective participation andintegration intothemultilateral trading system, weshould
come upwithamechanism thatwillallow countries suchasZambia withsuchdifficulties tohave
restored those lostrights andobligations.
Inaddition, there isgreatneedfortheinternational community torecognize andacknowledge
thattheexternal debthasbecome andcontinues tobeaserious burden forleast-developed countries,
yetthese countries areexpected tointegrate themselves intotheinternational trading system. This
situation poses amajor constraint toanyeconomic growth andgovernment 'sability torespond tothe
challenges ofpoverty reduction.
Commitments havebeenmade bysome ofthemore developed countries toassist countries
likemine incertain areas ofdifficulties. Wecommend allthose countries andespecially those that
havepledged toprovide some technical assistance toequip uswiththenecessary skills toeffectively
participate inthemultilateral trading system. Theintegrated initiative forleast-developed countries '
trade development illustrates commitment oftheWTO Members tofindasolution totheproblems
oftheleast-developed countries. Wewelcome theindications ofintentions toimprove market access
infavour ofexports from least-developed countries andthatthese willsoon benotified tothe
WTO Secretariat. While doing sothere isneedtoeliminate allforms ofbarriers totrade infavour
ofleast-developed countries. Consideration should begiven tofinding waysofenforcing theseintentions
ofimproving market access.
./.WT/MIN(98)/ST/82
Page2
Zambia would alsoliketoseeasituation thatensures thatthebenefits ofthemultilateral trading
system areextended aswidely aspossible. Further theWTO needs toconstantly recognize thediversity
inlevels ofdevelopment andtrade interests among Members. TheWTO needs toestablish itself as
acredible institution capable ofmeeting theaspirations ofallitsMembers -notonlyofsome ofthe
Members.
__________