WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/MA/149
6 June 2003
(03-2931)
Committee on Market Access
PERIODIC REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE TO THE
COUNCIL FOR TRADE IN GOODS
1. The Committee met on 26 March 2003 and examined the following issues:
2. The Committee took note of the factual inform ation provided by the Members under current
waivers regarding the introduction of HS96 changes to their schedules, the establishment of new
schedules or the renegotiation of schedules. This info rmation is summarized in Annexes I and II of this
report.  The Committee approved the requests for waiver extensions and agreed to forward the draftdecisions 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.30. The submissions of nine 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 Chair's proposal to have a nother special session of the Committee dedicated to
the review of the situation of HS96 submissions base d 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.3.  The Secretariat updated the Committee on the status of HS2002
work.  Japan took the floor to note its recent corrige ndum and to encourage further work on this subject.
5. With reference to the modalities and operation of the Integrated Data Base, the Committee
examined the status of IDB submissions on th e basis of document G/MA/IDB/2/Rev.16 + Corr.1.
Since the issuance of the document, new submissions had been received from an additional seven
Members.  The Secretariat reported on the dissemination, publication of IDB data, technical
assistance, improving the coverage of the IDB, and software developments.
6. The Secretariat reported on the status of the Consolidated Tariff Schedules (CTS) Database
and updated the Committee on the publication of CTS data, status of file processing, linkages with theIDB, and software for data analysis.
7. The Committee considered the requests for access to the IDB and CTS database from the
OECD and FAO favorably.  Some delegations noted that they hoped other such future requests could
be considered in a similar way.
8. Under other business, the Committee took note of the tariff information available in the
Secretariat as contained in document G/MA/T AR/3/Rev.8 + Corr.1 +Corr.2.  The Chairperson
encouraged Members to submit their most recent tariff information to the tariff library.
9. Under other business, the Committee took note of the status of notifications under the
Decision on Notification Procedures for Quantitative Restrictions on the basis of a Secretariatdocument G/MA/NTM/QR/1/Add.9+Corr.1.  The Chairp erson reminded delegations that a review of
Quantitative Restrictions was scheduled to take place next year, pursuant to the Decision in G/L/59.G/MA/149
Page 2
10. Under other business, the Committee took note that the date of its next meeting was
tentatively scheduled for June, but that the Chair would consult to see if a formal meeting was needed
due to the heavy workload in the WTO at that time.
11. The Committee elected its Chairperson, Ms. Jo Lomas (United Kingdom) for 2003.  She
would hold informal consultations on the vice chairmanship for this year.G/MA/149
Page 3ANNEX I
FACTUAL INFORMATION RELATING TO WAIVERS 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)Twelve
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
08.05.200113.05.2002
15.10.2003Four Two Argentina is still
holding
consultations withthe EC and US in
respect of some
tariff lines.- Requested one year.
G/L/606
G/C/W/452
2. El Salvador 18.07.1996 G/SECRET/HS96/44
(01.05.2000)
G/SECRET/HS96/44/
Corr.1(12.02.2002)Eleven
24.04.199722.10.1997
24.04.1998
14.10.199815.06.1999
04.11.1999
03.05.200008.12.2000
08.05.2001
13.05.200215.10.2003Three Two The United States
should beresponding  to
answers provided by
El Salvador andindicating whether it
has lifted its
reservation.Hopes to conclude
before the expiry of
the time-limit of the
requested waiver.Requested 6 months.
G/L/608G/C/W/454G/MA/149
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)Twelve
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
13.05.200215.10.2002Four Three On February 2002
Israel submitted its
responses to the ECquestions and
concerns regarding
HS 96. On 4September
 2002, the
EC specified two
further concernswith respect to the
answers provided,
which Israel willrespond as soon as
possible.
.Israel will do its best
will do its best to
provide the requestedexplanations in the
shortest possible time,
in the hope that thiswill lead to the
removal of the
reservation in the nearfuture.Requested 6 months.
G/L/620
G/C/W/462
4. Malaysia 13.12.1995 G/SECRET/HS/96/31
(16.10.1996)
G/SECRET/HS96/31/
Rev.1
(31.07.1997)Eleven
18.07.1996
24.04.1997
22.10.1997
24.04.1998
14.10.199815.06.1999
04.11.1999
03.05.200008.12.2000
08.05.2001
13.05.2002Five Five All consultations
regarding the
introduction of
HS96 changes into
Malaysia’s schedule
of tariff concessionshave been
completedAll that remains to be
completed now is to
notify the corrections
to Malaysia's
proposed HS96 tariff
schedule. Unforeseencircumstances
disabled the
completion of theremaining work by 30
April 2003.Requested one year
G/L/615
G/C/W/460
5. 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)Eight
14.10.1998
15.06.1999
04.11.199903.05.2000
08.12.2000
08.05.200113.05.2002
15.10.2002Four One Morocco is still in
the process of
negotiating with one
Member.- Requested 6 months.
G/L/616
G/C/W/461G/MA/149
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. Pakistan 24.04.1997 G/SECRET/HS96/40
(10.12.1998)Nine
22.10.1997
24.04.199814.10.1998
15.06.1999
04.11.199903.05.2000
08.12.2000
08.05.200113.05.2002Three Two One outstanding
Article XXVIII
negotiations with theUS is still being
examined in capital.
The reservationmade by the US
dates back to 1995
and the specificconcern was notified
on 1 February 2001.Pakistan is hopeful
that the matter will be
resolved bilaterally at
the earliest.Requested one year
G/L/612
G/C/W/458
7. Panama 24.04.1998 G/SECRET/HS96/48
(04.04.2001)
G/SECRET/HS96/48/
Add.1(18.03.2002)
G/SECRET/HS96/48/
Rev.1
(4 June 2002)
G/SECRET/HS96/48/
Rev.1/Corr.1(26.02.03)Seven
14.10.199815.06.1999
04.11.1999
03.05.200008.12.2000
08.05.2001
13.05.2002None (Only
corrections weresought by the
Members having
madereservations)-- P a n a m a   i s
completing the
corrections sought by
Australia and Canada.
It awaits the lifting of
the reservation by the
US and EC. It hopes
to finish the process
within the time-period
of the requested
waiver extension.Requested one year.
G/L/607G/C/W/453
8. 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)Twelve
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
13.05.200215.10.2002Four Negotiations had
concluded with all
four Members.However,
negotiations have
been re-initiatedwith two of those
Members.Thailand is  now
considering the
questions raised bythe two Members.Thailand hopes to
provide the answers
before the expiry date
of the current waiver.Requested 6 months.
G/L/611+Corr.1
G/C/W/457G/MA/149
Page 6
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
9. Venezuela,Bolivarian
Republic of13.12.1995 G/SECRET/HS96/12
(16.01.1996)
G/SECRET/HS96/12/
Rev.1
(07.11.1996)Twelve
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
13.05.200215.10.2002Three 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/609
G/C/W/455G/MA/149
Page 7ANNEX II
FACTUAL INFORMATION RELATED TO THE EXTENSION OF WAIVERS FOR THE PURPOSE OF
ESTABLISHING A NEW SCHEDULE
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-six:
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
31.10.200113.05.2002
15.10.2002Five 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 have
been made to the
Advisory Committeeof the Government of
Sri Lanka seeking its
approval on tariffbindings to be made,
Sri Lanka may require
one more extension oftime to conclude these
negotiations.  Sri
Lanka also wishes toassure its trading
partners that every
effort will be made toconclude the
negotiations
satisfactorily, and inthe mutual interest of
all concerned, as soon
as possible.Extension of 6
months requested
G/L/610
G/C/W/456
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