INF/IFD/W/5  
 
5 June 2019 
(19-3871) Page: 1/2 
 Original: English  
 
WTO STRUCTURED DISCU SSIONS ON INVESTMENT  
FACILITATION FOR DEV ELOPMENT  
 
MEETING OF 25 JUNE 2019  
ANNOTATED A GENDA BY THE COORDIN ATOR  
Following the convening notice sent to all delegations on 21 May 2019, this annotated agenda is 
intended to facilitate discussions at the upcoming meeting. As indicated in the latest "Schedule of 
Meetings January – July 2019" (document INF/IFD/W/3 /Rev.1  dated 22 May 2019), the purpose of 
this meeting is to engage in example -based discussions on the other cross -cutting issues .  
As agreed by participating Members at the open -ended meeting in December 2018, discussions will 
be based on concrete examples  and su ggestions submitted by Members on how to develop the 
possible elements of the framework, drawing on the "Checklist of Issues Raised by Members".1 The 
submission of example s or suggestions by a Member is without prejudice to the Membe r's position 
in the discussions. In addition, as per past practice, the Coordinator may, as appropriate, put forward 
examples under his own responsibility, drawing inspiration from relevant WTO provisions.  
In keeping with the open, transparent and inclusi ve nature of this initiative, all WTO Members ar e 
invited to participate in the  meeting.  Attendance of/participation in the meeting  is without prejudice 
to Members' position on the joint initiative . 
EXAMPLE -BASED DISCUS SIONS ON POSSIBLE EL EMENTS  
1.1.  Based on the Schedule of Meetings Members will be invited to present their examples or 
suggestions on "other cross -cutting issues" – namely:  
• Domestic institutional arrangements to enhance communication and coordination 
among relevant authorities at different levels  of government  
• Scope of the multilateral framework; non -discrimination; best -endeavours 
language; challenges faced by MSMEs; relationship between the framework and 
current investment commitments among Members; role of the investment 
facilitation framework in combating corruption, promoting corporate social 
responsibility and promoting women empowerment  
• Any other investment facilitation -related issues  
1.2.  Members will be invited to present their examples  or suggestions on the element s/issue s. 
Members' presentations of examples  and suggestions,  and ensuing clarifications/comments , may be 
followed by a presentation made by the  Coordinator of one or more  examples , prepared and 
circulated prior to the meeting under his responsibility , in order to complement  the examples 
presented by Members, if deemed appropriate . Thereafter, delegations will be invited to comment 
on the examples or suggestions , or raise any issue relating to the issues under discussion.  
1.3.  In presenting their examples and suggestions, or addressing "other cross -cutting issues", 
Members are invited to consider the following guiding questions with the aim of facilitating the 
discussion and having an interactive  meeting:  
1. What is the source of t he example or suggestion, if any (e.g. WTO te xt, provisions based 
on Members'  own practices and/or agreements, or any other text suggestions)?  
                                                
1 The latest version of the checklist dated 9 November 2018, was circulated to all Members as an annex 
to the Informal Note on "Stock -taking and Next Steps" on 27 November 2018. It is available at: 
https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/invfac_e/meet_161118_checklist_e.pdf  INF/IFD/W/5  
 
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  2. How is the example relevant to the discussions?  
3. Would the example need to be adapted or modified, and if so , how?  
1.4.  In addition, while addressing the scope of the framework,2 Members may wish to consider also 
the following questions:  
a. Should the framework take into consideration the whole "investment life -cycle" (e.g. 
admission, establishment, acquisition, exp ansion , sale or other disposition of investments in 
its territory )? 
b. Should Members address the scope of measures  to be covered (e.g. types of measures; 
levels of government involved) based on the different elements/issues  included in the 
framework, or should Members consider a more general approach  (e.g. a general provision 
on scope) ?  
c. Should the investment facilitation framework apply to all sectors?  
2  ANY OTHER INVESTMENT  FACILITATION -RELATE D ISSUES  
2.1.  Under this item, Members may revert to any issue di scussed at previous meetings ,3 including 
by submitting further examples or sharing experience s, or rais ing any other investment facilitation -
related issues .  
3  COMPENDIUM OF EXAMPL ES 
3.1.  The compendium of examples has been updated to reflect the examples submitted at the 
previous meeting, notably on the possible elements aimed at enhancing international cooperation, 
information sharing  and the exchange of best practices , and those related to the development 
dimension . Prepared under the responsibility of the Coordinator, the compendium will be circulated 
ahead of the meeting on 25 June. Its content, structure and format are without prejudice to the 
position of Members in the discussions. Delegations will be invited to comment on the document, as 
they deem appropriate.  
4  OTHER BUSINESS  
 
 
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2 Regarding the scope, Members are reminded that t he Joint Ministerial Statement provides  that the 
structured discussions shall seek to identify and develop "the elements of a framework for facilitating foreign 
direct investments".  It also states that these discussions shall not address market access, investment 
protection, and Investor -State Dispute Settlement (para. 4) . 
3 The example -based discussions have so far addressed the elements aimed at improving the 
transparency and predictability of investment measures (4 March 2019) ; the elements aimed at streamlining 
and speeding up administrative  procedures and requirements ( 11 April 2019) ; the elements aimed at 
enhancing international cooperation, information sharing  and the exchange of best practices , and the 
development dimension (16 May 2019) .