./.  WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  WT/GC/W/533 
19 July 2004 
 (04-3093) 
 Original:   English 
 
  
CONCERNS OF THE WTO AFRICAN GROUP ON THE 
NAMA FRAMEWORK IN THE JULY PACKAGE 
 
Communication from Nigeria on behalf of the African Group
 
  
 The following communication, dated 9 July 2004 and addressed to the Chairman of the 
General Council, is being circulated at the reques t of the Delegation of Ni geria on behalf of the 
African Group. 
 
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 On behalf of the African Group, I wish to forward herewith, the Group's concerns regarding 
the NAMA Framework text in the July Package and the future work on NAMA.  The Group, would 
like to see these concerns adequately reflected in the Framework on NAMA.  I am forwarding a copy of this letter to the Director-General WTO, NA MA Chairman, ACP Coordinator, G90 Coordinator 
and the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs a nd Trade of the Republic of Mauritius for their 
information. 
 
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 Further to our letter to you Ref. No. WT/GC/W/531 of 30 June, 2004 in which we outlined 
the Group’s Perspective on the July Package, the Group, wishes to further express its concerns regarding the Chairman's approach on  NAMA Framework text in the July Package and also in the 
future work on NAMA. 
 
Mandate  
 
1. At the beginning, we would like to emphasize that the political guidan ce and common  African 
negotiating objectives on all issues under negotiations in the WTO including NAMA, are contained in 
the Kigali Declaration and its annex the Kigali Consensus as contained in document WT/L/572.  It is 
our expectation that the Chairman of NAMA will adequa tely take this into account  in preparing a text 
on NAMA Framework in the July Package and indeed in future work in this area. 
2. During the Informal NAMA meeting held on 8 July 2004, the Chairman outlined his plans 
and approach to forward to the Chairman of the Ge neral Council Annex B of the Derbez text, as well 
as a covering letter on his own responsibility wh ich would form the basis for a NAMA Framework in 
the July Package.  To this effect, the African Group, would like to state its serious concerns regarding 
this approach.  We would like to reiterate that Anne x B of the Derbez text as its stands cannot be the 
basis for a Framework on NAMA for the July Package.  The Group, expects that its proposals and 
positive elements submitted by Members should be fully taken into account in preparing the 
Framework text on NAMA and also in any future work. WT/GC/W/533 
Page 2  
 
 3. In recent consultations with the NAMA Chai rman, the Group had strongly expressed its 
concerns and urged him to reflect those concerns  in any Framework text on NAMA.  The way and 
manner the Chairman intends to convey Annex B of the Derbez text to the Chairman of the General 
Council as well as his recommendations of using the text unchanged and without incorporating our 
concerns is totally unacceptable to the Group. 
4. Furthermore, the Group, would like to seek for clar ification on the status of the covering letter 
by the NAMA Chairman forwarding Annex B of the Derbez text as the basis of a Framework on 
NAMA in the July Package. 
5. The Group, expects a balanced overall July Pack age which takes on board the interests of all 
members.  In this regard, we would take this o pportunity to urge you to use your good offices and 
ensure the emergence of a Framework on NAMA that fully reflect our interests and concerns. 
6. Finally, the Group, wishes to reiterate its commit ment to remain engaged in the process and to 
work constructively with you and other Members with a view to achieving a successful July Package. 
 
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