WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/MA/116
26 September 2002
(02-5174)
Committee on Market Access
PERIODIC REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE TO THE
COUNCIL FOR TRADE IN GOODS
1. The Committee met on 23 September 2002 and examined the following issues:
2. The Committee took note of the factual info rmation provided by Members under current
waivers with respect to the transposition of thei r schedules into the Harmonized System (HS), the
introduction of HS96 changes to their schedules, or the renegotiation of their schedules. This
information is summarized in Annexes I and II of this report.  The Committee approved the requests for
waiver extensions and agreed to forward the draft decisions set out in the Annexes to the Council for
Trade in Goods (CTG) for appropriate action.
3. The Committee examined the situation related to the submission of HS96 documentation set out
in document G/MA/TAR/2/Rev.29. The submissions of  ten Members, whether they had requested an
extension of waivers or not, remained pending due  to ongoing consultations and/or negotiations. The
Committee agreed to the Chairman's proposal to  have another special session of the Committee
dedicated to the review of the situation of HS96 submissions based on a revision of the informal list
prepared by the Secretariat detailing the situation.
4. The Committee examined the situation related to the circulation of HS2002 documentation set
out in document G/MA/TAR/4/Rev.2.  Japan raised concerns a bout the delay in the issuance of the
Secretariat verification sheets. The Committee agreed that the Chairman should hold consultations on
the situation of Members whose HS2002 waiv ers were expiring at the end of 2002.
5. With reference to the modalities and operation of the Integrated Data Base (IDB), the
Committee examined the status of IDB submissi ons on the basis of document G/MA/IDB/2/Rev.15.
The Secretariat reported on its work in disseminating the IDB submissions, on the development of IDB
software, and on the technical assistance being provided to enable developing country Members to make
the required submission.  The Secretariat also reported on the status of the Consolidated Tariff
Schedules (CTS) database. The Committee took note that the CTS database was now available on line
and that work to link the CTS data to the IDB data had started.
6. On the two implementation issues, the Chairman reported on the consultations held thus far
on the "Meaning to be given to the term "substantial interest" in paragraph 2(d) of Article XIII of
GATT 1994", and on the "Measures designed to secure a redistribution of negotiating rights in favour
of small and medium-sized exporting Members in trade negotiations".  The Committee agreed to theChairman's proposal to suspend the meeting on these two agenda items in order to undertake further
work on these two issues and to reconvene at shor t notice in order to approve recommendations to the
General Council on the first issue, and a report to the TNC on the second issue.  It was noted that the
recommendations to the General Council and the report to the TNC had to be made before the end of
2002.
7. Under the agenda item "Transitional review under paragraph 18 of the Protocol of Accession
of the People's Republic of China" the following documentation was circulated.  Information submittedG/MA/116
Page 2
by China was circulated in docum ents G/MA/W/39 and G/MA/W/41.  Questions put to China by the
European Communities, Japan, US, Canada and Fran ce were circulated in documents G/MA/W/33, 34,
35, 36 and 40, respectively.  China's questions to Argentina, European Communities, Hungary, Mexico,
Poland, Slovak Republic and Turkey were circulat ed in document G/MA/W/38.   The Committee agreed
that the report to the CTG on this agenda item would take the form of a short factual report, whichreferenced the documentation submitted in connection with the transitional review and which referenced
the paragraphs of the minutes of this meeting which would reflect the discussion held under this agenda
item.
8. Ecuador put several questions to Panama (G/MA/W/37) on the decision by the Panama Canal
Authority to put in place a new Canal transit toll structure with effect from 1 October 2002.  Panama
responded in detail and the response has been circulated in document G/MA/W/37/Add.1.
9. The Committee considered its draft report (2002) to the CTG circulated in G/MA/SPEC/22.  This
report will be updated to take account of the discussions at this meeting.G/MA/116
Page 3ANNEX I
FACTUAL INFORMATION RELATING TO WAIVER EXTENSIONS REQUESTED FOR THE PURPOSE OF
INTRODUCING HS 96 CHANGES TO SCHEDULES OF CONCESSIONS
Member Date of
original
waiverDate of
submission of HS
documentationN° of
extensions and
datesN° of Members
with which
Article XXVIII
negotiations have
been initiatedN° of Members with
which
Article XXVIII
negotiations have
been concludedStatus of
outstanding
Article XXVIII
negotiationsOutlook for
concluding the
processRequest for a waiver
and draft decision
1. Argentina 13.12.1995 G/SECRET/HS96
/30
(16.10.1996)
G/SECRET/HS96
/30/Corr.1
(16.05.2000)Eleven
18.07.1996
24.04.199722.10.1997
24.04.1998
14.10.1998
15.06.1999
04.11.199903.05.2000
08.12.2000
08.05.200113.05.2002Four Two Still  need to
conclude
consultations andnegotiations with the
two remaining
Members- Requested 6 months.
G/L/559
G/C/W/409 + Corr.1
2. El Salvador 18.07.1996 G/SECRET/HS96
/44(01.05.2000)
G/SECRET/HS96
/44/Corr.1
(12.02.2002)Ten
24.04.199722.10.1997
24.04.1998
14.10.199815.06.1999
04.11.1999
03.05.200008.12.2000
08.05.2001
13.05.2002Three Two The United States
should beresponding  to
answers provided by
El Salvador.Hopes to conclude
before the expiry of
the time-limit of the
requested waiver.Requested 6 months.
G/L/563G/C/W/413 + Corr.1G/MA/116
Page 4
Member Date of
original
waiverDate of
submission of HS
documentationN° of
extensions and
datesN° of Members
with which
Article XXVIII
negotiations have
been initiatedN° of Members with
which
Article XXVIII
negotiations have
been concludedStatus of
outstanding
Article XXVIII
negotiationsOutlook for
concluding the
processRequest for a waiver
and draft decision
3. Israel 13.12.1995 G/SECRET/HS96
/26
(08.10.1996)
G/SECRET/HS96
/26/Add.1(05.03.1999)
G/SECRET/HS96
/26/Add.1/Corr.1
(06.07.2000)Eleven
18.07.1996
24.04.199722.10.1997
24.04.1998
14.10.199815.06.1999
04.11.1999
03.05.200008.12.2000
08.05.2001
13.05.2002Four Three Israel has to respond
to two additional
questions by the EC.Israel will do its best
to provide the
requested
explanations in the
shortest possible time.Requested 6 months.
G/L/560 + Corr.1
G/C/W/410 + Corr.1
4. Morocco 24.04.1998 G/SECRET/HS96
/47
(04.12.2000)
G/SECRET/HS96
/47/Add.1
(28.03.2001)
G/SECRET/HS96
/47/Add.2
(28.05.2001)Seven
14.10.1998
15.06.199904.11.1999
03.05.2000
08.12.2000
08.05.2001
13.05.2002Four Two Morocco is still in
the process of
negotiating with theEC.  The US
reservation is based
on the lack of
concordance tables
which have nowbeen submitted.- Requested 6 months.
G/L/568
G/C/W/417
5. Norway 13.12.1995 G/SECRET/HS96
/11(24.01.1996)
G/SECRET/HS96
/11/Corr.1
(22.03.2001)
G/SECRET/HS96
/11/Add.1
(05.08.2002)Eleven
18.07.199624.04.1997
22.10.1997
24.04.199814.10.1998
15.06.1999
04.11.199903.05.2000
08.12.2000
08.05.200113.05.2002Six Six Awaiting the expiry
of the 90-day time-period for the
submission of
objections on themost recent
notification by
Norway circulatedas document
G/SECRET/HS96/
11/Add.1.A waiver extension is
being requested in
case objections are
raised in relation to
Norway's most recent
notification.Requested 6 months.
G/L/562G/C/W/412 + Corr.1G/MA/116
Page 5Member Date of
original
waiverDate of
submission of HS
documentationN° of
extensions and
datesN° of Members
with which
Article XXVIII
negotiations have
been initiatedN° of Members with
which
Article XXVIII
negotiations have
been concludedStatus of
outstanding
Article XXVIII
negotiationsOutlook for
concluding the
processRequest for a waiver
and draft decision
6. Thailand 13.12.1995 G/SECRET/HS96
/17
(14.03.1996)
G/SECRET/HS96
/17/Rev.1(18.10.1996)
G/SECRET/HS96
/17/Rev.2
(27.11.2001)Eleven
18.07.1996
24.04.199722.10.1997
24.04.1998
14.10.199815.06.1999
04.11.1999
03.05.200008.12.2000
08.05.2001
13.05.2002Four Negotiations had
concluded with all
four Members.However,
negotiations have
been re-initiatedwith two of those
Members.Thailand is
preparing the
responses toquestions raised by
the two Members.- Requested 6 months.
G/L/564
G/C/W/414 + Corr.1
7. Venezuela,
Bolivarian
Republic of13.12.1995 G/SECRET/HS96
/12
(16.01.1996)
G/SECRET/HS96
/12/Rev.1
(07.11.1996)Eleven
18.07.1996
24.04.199722.10.1997
24.04.1998
14.10.1998
15.06.1999
04.11.199903.05.2000
08.12.2000
08.05.200113.05.2002Three Two One question
remains to be
resolved with theremaining Member.Hopes to conclude
before the time-limit
of the requested
waiver expires.Requested 6 months.
G/L/561
G/C/W/411 + Corr.1G/MA/116
Page 6
ANNEX II
FACTUAL INFORMATION RELATING TO WAIVER EXTENSIONS REQUESTED FOR THE PURPOSE OF
TRANSPOSING SCHEDULES INTO THE HARMONIZED SYSTEM AND OF RENEGOTIATING SCHEDULES
Member Date of
original
waiverDate of
submission of HS
documentationN° of
extensions and
datesN° of Members
with which
Article XXVIII
negotiations have
been initiatedN° of Members with
which
Article XXVIII
negotiations have
been concludedStatus of
outstanding
Article XXVIII
negotiationsOutlook for
concluding the
processRequest for an
extension and draft
decision
1. Sri Lanka 08.11.1988 12.01.1990
SECRET/HS/26Twenty-five:
24.07.1989
16.07.1990
07.12.199001.07.1991
04.12.1991
20.07.199203.12.1992
19.07.1993
17.01.199421.07.1994
09.12.1994
31.08.199513.12.1995
18.07.1996
16.07.199722.10.1997
24.04.1998
14.10.199815.06.1999
04.11.1999
03.05.200008.12.2000
08.05.2001
31.10.200113.05.2002Five Four Sri Lanka continues
to make every effort
to conclude
negotiations underArticle XXVIII.
The negotiations
with the UnitedStates are still
continuing.Sri Lanka has had
bilateral negotiations
with the United
States. Thesenegotiations are still
continuing.  In view
of the fact thatsubmissions are being
made to the newly
appointed AdvisoryCommittee on Tariffs
of the Government of
Sri Lanka and that itsapproval is required
for tariff bindings to
be made,  Sri Lankamay require one more
extension to conclude
these negotiations. SriLanka assures its
trading partners that
every effort will bemade to conclude the
negotiations
satisfactorily, and inthe mutual interest of
all concerned, as soon
as possible.Extension of 6
months requested
G/L/565
G/C/W/415/Rev.1G/MA/116
Page 7Member Date of
original
waiverDate of
submission of HS
documentationN° of
extensions and
datesN° of Members
with which
Article XXVIII
negotiations have
been initiatedN° of Members with
which
Article XXVIII
negotiations have
been concludedStatus of
outstanding
Article XXVIII
negotiationsOutlook for
concluding the
processRequest for an
extension and draft
decision
2. Zambia 26.11.199312.03.1996
G/SECRET/HS/8Thirteen:
13.12.199518.07.1996
24.04.1997
22.10.199724.04.1998
14.10.1998
15.06.199904.11.1999
03.05.2000
08.12.200008.05.2001
31.10.2001
13.05.2002Two - EC and the US have
to respond to the
revised schedule.Hope to conclude
before the end of
2002.Extension requested
G/L567
G/C/W/416
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