TN/AG/56  
TN/AG/SCC/21  
 
22 August  2023 
(23-) Page: 1/9 
Committee on Agriculture  
Special Session  
Sub-Committee on Cotton    
 
19TH DEDICATED DISCUSSION OF THE RELEVANT  
TRADE -RELATED DEVELOPMENTS FOR COTTON  
16 May 2023 
Report1 by the Chairperson  
1.  Pursuant to the Bali Ministerial Decision on Cotton of 7 December 20132 and the Nairobi 
Ministerial Decision on Cotton of 19 December 20153, the 1 9th Dedicated Discussion of the Relevant 
Trade -Related Developments for Cotton (the Dedicated Discussion) took place on 16 May  2023. The 
Dedicated Discussion was held back -to-back with the 3 9th Round of the Director -General's 
Consultative Framework Mechanism on Cotton (DGCFMC) dealing with the development assistance 
aspects of cotton . 
2.  In my introductory remarks, I reaffirmed the importance of cotton in the WTO, both in the 
agricultu re negotiations and under the development track and its multiple initiatives.  I also  stressed 
that at a time when the question of transparency ha d become an important element of the 
discussions within the WTO, the dedicated discussions, although not a nego tiation forum, provide s 
a unique opportunity to advance awareness and understanding of Members' cotton trade -related 
policies from a WTO perspective. This forum fosters constructive exchanges on the global cotton 
market and factors affecting its efficient performance, all based around facts and relevant related 
developments.  
3.  I congratulate d the FIFA and the WTO Secretariat for the successful event titled "Making Trade 
Score for Women " that took place on the occasion of the International Labor's Day celebra ted on 
1st May, and demonstrated the WTO and FIFA's continued joint efforts to support African cotton .  
4.  In my report on the state of play in the agriculture negotiations  in relation to cotton,  I 
underlined  that despite several achievements under both the  trade and development tracks such as 
the Bali and Nairobi Ministerial Decisions on cotton, Members ha d not been in a position to make 
progress on the central issue of trade distorting domestic support provi ded to cotton producers.   
5.  I noted that, following the absence of outcome in the agriculture negotiation overall, and on 
cotton in particular at MC12, cotton is again considered to be high on the agenda in light of its critical 
importance for the Cotton -4 (C-4) and other cotton producing LDCs and non-LDC developing 
countries  and this view was reaffirmed by several Members.  
6.  I reported that  at the last CoASS and cotton quad plus meeting s held respectively on 4 May  and 
20 April , several participants voiced strong support for the C -4's call for action, with some of them 
considering it was time to address trade distorting domestic support granted to cotton at MC13, as 
part of a comprehensive outcome on trade distorting domestic support.  Some other parti cipants 
emphasized the need to remain realistic in light of the remaining gaps in Members' positions, while 
one Member considered that cotton could be considered as part of a food security package.  Some 
participants also emphasized the need to look at ways  to enhance sustainability, resilience and 
competitiveness of the C -4 and African cotton value chain, from production to exports, with one 
 
1 This report is circulated under the Chair's own responsibility.   
2 Document WT/MIN(13)/41 - WT/L/916, dated 11 December 2013.  
3 Document WT/MIN(15)/46 - WT/L/981, dated 21 December 2015.  TN/AG/56 • TN/AG/SCC/21  
 
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  Member highlighting the complementarity of the cotton trade and development tracks for an MC13 
outcome.  A suggestion was made to engage in a technical discussion between experts to better 
understand domestic support figures and explore possible ways to advance in the negotiations.  
7.  I shared my view that progress  on cotton well as well as on other topics  should be made  in the 
following  two directions: 1) to the extent necessary evidence -based work on critical technical issues 
where there is a need to better understand the issues at stake and possible consequences of different 
options;  and 2) progress towa rds textual inputs that could contribute to bridging gaps.  
8.  I also supported  Members' view that while  an outcome on cotton at MC13 c ould not  be only about 
development, concrete results effectively supporting the development of the cotton sector in cotton 
producing LDCs would provide a significant contribution to a successful outcome at MC13.  
Recognizing that  MC13 w ould not be the end of the road on cotton like on many other topics , I urged 
Members to make all possible efforts to deliver on concrete steps forward with a clear sense of 
direction .  
9.  Under the agenda item " General Statements by Members ", Chad, on behalf of the C -4, 
underscored the importance of cotton as a strategic agric ultural product for their economies , a sector 
employ ing globally more than 80% of the active population in their countries.  Regretting  the slow 
progress in reaching consensus  on cotton  negotiations , the C -4 urged Members to adhere to the 
Hong Kong mandate , which was reaffirmed at the Bali and Nairobi Ministerial Conferences,  to address 
cotton "ambitiously, expeditiously, and specifically" . The C -4 considered that its propos al to reducing  
trade -distorting  domestic support for cotton remain ed valid and called for Members to come forward 
with balanced proposals to find a mutually agreeable solutio n. In view of the lasting disruptions to 
the cotton sector initially triggered  by the COVID -19 pandemic  and other crisis , the C-4 renewed its 
call for Membe rs to pursue efforts towards the effective implementation of the Nairobi Decision, to 
be more transparent with the reform measures applied in the cotton sector and to lift trade restrictive 
measures  that could have a negative impact on the sector . The C -4 reaffirmed in conclusion its 
openness, availability and flexibility for future discussions.  
10.  The International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC)4 updated  Members on world cotton 
production and trade trend s. ICAC also  provided an outlook of the global cotton  market for 
the 2022-2023 season  highlighting  the challenging market conditions resulting from  several factors 
such as  negative weather conditions for production  or the economic downturn and high inflation for 
consumption . Members expressed high appreciation towards ICAC's presentation and raised several 
follow -up questions.  
11.  India and Benin sought ICAC's clarification  on Australia's cotton export and production data and 
asked how Australia could maintain higher levels of ex ports than what they currently produced. ICAC 
explained that the higher export volume resulted from  surplus  stocks from the previous planting 
season which Australia had not sold before . ICAC noted that there had been a shift in export partners 
for Australi a compared to the last season and Australia's biggest partners in the 2023 season are 
Viet Nam, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Türkiye , Thailand, Indonesia and  to a lesser extent  India. 
12.  Chad sought information  on African cotton exports , particularly those oriented to the  EU as well 
as to world's largest cotton consumers . Chad also expressed interest in learning if some European 
cotton  producing countries such as Greece and Portugal also export cotton . ICAC was not in a 
position  to share at the outset aggregated data  on Africa's exports by destination to Europe , but 
indicated that it  could be easily worked o ut. Africa's main export destinations are India and China 
and Africa's biggest cotton trading partner in Europe is Italy.  
13.  Mali sought explanation regarding the increase in production versus  the reductio n of arable 
surface  area in Brazil . Following  up on this question , Brazil asked ICAC if  data on comparing  
productivity among main cotton producers is available. ICAC confirmed that the production in Brazil 
had increased while the planting area decreased , as a result of increase d yields.  
14.  Noting  the lower level of global consumption compared to the level of production, Tanzania 
wondered where the excess production went. Tanzania also queried  how LDCs and developing 
countries could  increase their production. A similar question was raised  by China who asked if 
 
4 ICAC's presentation can be found here. TN/AG/56 • TN/AG/SCC/21  
 
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  ICAC could  offer any suggestions for the C-4 to increase their cotton production . China also 
requested  ICAC to provide data showing the trend of C -4's cotton production over the years and the 
reasons behind the increase/decrease in production .  
15.  Pakistan as a large producer and consumer of cotton expressed concern regarding the  current 
price volatility caused by  the global econo my recession and climate impacts on cotton production 
and asked when the global cotton prices could stabilize.    
16.  Regarding global cotton production and consumption level and their impact on cotton prices , 
ICAC noted that although production declined, mainly due to difficult situations in the United States 
and Pakistan , consumption fell more significant ly due to  the g lobal economic situation  and high 
inflation . This le ads to a surplus in cotton this season , with a depress ing effect on  cotton prices.  
17.  As for cotton production and exports from the C -4, ICAC underlined a progressive increase in 
production and exports in A frica since the 2010/2011 season, primarily in the C -4. ICAC noted that 
Africa had implemented policies to open borders between countries  which facilitated the flow of 
cotton across the continent and to the ports. ICAC highlighted  its recent work on fostering and 
promoting textile production  in Africa . ICAC invited Members to consult its website and the Cotton 
Portal  where its statistics on cotton production, consumption and tra de are available.  
18.  The International Trade Centre (ITC)  delivered  a presentation5 on the Cotton Portal . 
ITC summarized the main features  of the portal, highlighted the updated WTO -related content on 
the website, and shared some statistics on the portal's use across the world.  Members welcomed 
the presentation and confirmed the usefulness of the platform for cotton trade . 
19.  Benin was surprised by the low l evel of  African users and asked the ITC if there was some  
explanation  and how to increase  the Portal's  use in Africa.  Mali enquired about the possibility of 
organizing trainings in the C -4, not only on ITC's trade map but also on the Portal. Nigeria also called 
for webinar s or online programme s to train African countries on how to use the Portal and other 
ITC tools such as the market  access  map. 
20.  The ITC confirmed that the use of the tool is limited in Africa, which is a common trend  shared 
by most of the IT C tools., one of the reason s being  the limited internet access  in Africa . The ITC 
confirmed its readiness  to offer trainings on both the Cotton Portal and other tools  but stressed that 
ITC had encountered some difficulties in the past to get access to the target audience locally . This 
could be envisaged through  targeted campaigns and trainings  for growers , exporters and importers 
of cotton in Africa , with the support o f different ministries and relevant government agencies . 
Trainings  could be  delivered either  in-person or virtually  and both in English and French . In view of  
Members' interest , the ITC confirmed  its readiness to liaise with the WTO Secretariat to explore how 
to organize a webinar on the Cotton Portal as a first step and encouraged  in advance African 
delegations to share the invitation to the webinar to the  relevant stakeholders in the cotton sector.   
21.  China asked whether information relating to cotton devel opment ass istance such as the demand 
by the C -4 for assistance  on production technology  and access to new varieties  is available on the 
Portal . China considered that the platform could play a  role as a matchmaker for demand and supply 
of development assistance. The ITC noted that the website currently lists the development assistance 
projects as captured by the WTO and expressed its openness to explore the enhancement to this 
feature.  
22.  Burkina Faso  wondered if the ITC had faced any difficulties with inconsistent data from different 
sources and how ITC handled such situation. The ITC responded that data published on the website 
are subject to quality control and carefully verified. Mirror trade data a re sometimes  used,  when  
import data from a country is not available or could not be verified and export data from its partner 
countries may be used  as a proxy . Tariff data are generally well -known and reliable as they have 
been monitored for decades. The situation is more difficult with non -tariff barriers which are more 
diverse and complex. ITC also collaborate s with other organizations such as UNCTAD to analyse , 
format and classify data on non -tariff measures.  
 
5 ITC's presentation can be found on 
https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/agric_e/dd160523_ itc_e.pdf .  TN/AG/56 • TN/AG/SCC/21  
 
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  23.  Mali enquired if the Portal could include in formation on technology transfer . It also raised a 
question about the source of the data published on the website and how the data is collected and 
processed, as well as the frequency of their update.  Chad supported the question by Mali and 
underscored the  importance to ensure credibility of data. In view of the difficulty to verify 
authenticity of data collected virtually, Chad asked if the ITC works with domestic agencies and other 
partners to have more and better data available . Chad also wondered whethe r it could be envisaged 
to include links on the cotton portal to other relevant websites  publishing statistical data  on their 
websites on trade, development and possibly health . Noting th e difficulties faced by  the statistical 
agencies in Chad to collect and analyse data due to limited human capacity, Chad sought ITC's 
assistance to improve its national statistical system.  
24.  Complementing its previous response, t he ITC  stressed  that its data are  first coming from 
reliable national sources such as  national statistic s offices  and customs  authorities , and subsequently 
verified . For non -tariff measures, information is scattered and complex, and requires visiting 
websites or contacting several ministries', foreign trade and customs offices or industrie s. As for the 
frequency of updates, it would depend on the type and origin of data. Trade import data are updated 
on a monthly basis, with a time lag of around 3 months, depending on data availability. E xport data 
are updated twice a year  in spring and aut umn respectively , tariffs data are usually updated on a 
yearly basis in the beginning of the year, and for non -tariff measures the objective is also to provide 
yearly updates as necessary but it is more difficult.  
25.  The ITC noted that it did not have verific ation of data system on the field  and expressed interest 
in exploring it , possibly through  annual or biannual data surveys on the ground with local cotton 
associations . The ITC also confirmed its readiness to provide capacity building in terms of statistic s 
and noted that it was already  provid ing trainings to national statistical authorities on how to collect 
and process information and to improve the collection process . It made reference to the on -going 
African Trade Observatory dashboard project under whi ch training could be provided to countries 
interested in improving their domestic trade data collection process. I nterested delegates were 
invited to contact the ITC regarding the details of the project . Finally, the ITC noted that the Portal 
contains a section with useful links to other websites and  that it could add additional links to 
platforms considered useful by  Members .  
26.  Regarding the questions on development assistance including Mali's question on technology 
transfer, the WTO Secretaria t responded that these issues are taken up in the context of the DGCFMC 
dealing with the development assistance aspects of cotton , while the cotton portal is more focused 
on the trade related aspect.  
27.  The Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF)  Secretariat  introduced the  ePhyto 
Solution6, a digital system specifically designed to aid developing countries in issuing electro nic 
certificates for agricultural products, streamlining customs clearance processes.  
28.  Côte d'Ivoire s ubsequently s hared its experience7 in successfully implementing the ePhyto 
system to facilitate its cotton trade.  The detailed presentation started with an overview of the whole 
process undertaken since 2013 to progressively develop this tool  and make it operational in 
May 2023, before a more specific description o f the application of electronic phytosanitary 
certification to cotton exports.  
29.  The two presen tations were welcomed by the participants. Burkina Faso asked if any countries 
had ever refused to recognize the ePhyto certificates from another country . The STDF Secretariat 
noted  that the ePhyto  certificates are based on the official phytosanitary certificates  issued by the 
national bureau for plants p rotection  within the framework of the International Plant Protection 
Convention  (IPPC)  and all Members that have signed the IPPC must accept such c ertificates.  The 
ePhyto Solution introduce s an electronic system to facilitate the exchange of phytosanitary 
certificates  and discourage forgery of those certificates. Not all Members have adopted the electronic 
system due to technical issues and those Mem bers would not be able to receive the certificates in 
the electronic form.  
 
6 The presentation  by the STDF  can be accessed here.  
7 The presentation by Côte d'Ivoire  can be  access ed here.  TN/AG/56 • TN/AG/SCC/21  
 
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  30.  Highlighting the challenges faced by cotton exporters to  meet quality standards of importing 
countries, Mali and Chad expressed their interest in implementing the ePhyto system and Benin 
urged other WTO Members to support the dissemination of this ePhyto system.  
31.  The STDF advised Mali and others interested Members in taking part in the ePhyto system to 
contact the IPPC Secretariat lodged in the FAO in Rome who would explain the proced ures regarding  
how to  join the initiative.  It noted that the STDF and other institutions or bilateral donors such as  
the World  Bank, the European Union, the United States , Germany or the Netherlands  could provide 
assistance with the follow up on the implem entation of the ePhyto Solution.  
32.  The WTO Secretariat briefly introduced the updates contained in the Revision of the  
background paper8 and addenda  and underlined its continued efforts aimed at streamlining the 
document to facilitate its use by Members .9 The background paper compiles up -to-date information 
and data from Members' notifications and other submissions on export subsidies, domestic suppo rt, 
and market access, including both tariff and non -tariff measures. The background paper also 
captures Members' latest responses to the questionnaire on cotton policy developments, as well as 
relevant information on cotton markets and policies included i n Trade Policy Review reports.  
33.  I welcome d the efforts undertaken by the Secretariat to streamline the document and make it 
more friendly to Members, while keeping its efforts to provide detailed and exhaustive information.  
I echo ed the view expressed by m y predecessors that the quality of the background paper is  fully 
dependent on the quality and  timeliness of Members' notifications and submissions to the WTO, 
including replies to the questionnaire.  I therefore called upon Members, particularly key players  in 
the cotton market, to be forthcoming and transparent with their policy sharing.  
34.  The EU drew Members' attention to the importance of the questionnaire on new or updated 
cotton -related policy developments . Regretting the low number of replies to the que stionnaire, 
the EU urged Members, in particular major cotton players , who have not replied to the questionnaire 
to do so in the future. The EU stressed the need to start by improv ing transparency and provide 
accurate notifications and replies to the questi onnaire  to move forward in negotiations on cot ton.  
35.  Mali, on behalf of the C -4 called on Members to  fully implement the Nairobi Ministerial Decision 
on cotton, including the transparency  obligations such as submitting  notification s and replies to the 
Cotto n questionnaire in time.  The C -4 also stress ed that the work relating to duty -free and 
quota -free market access  for cotton and cotton -related  products remain s unfinished.  The C -4 
regretted again the absence of progress in the cotton negotiations notwithstanding the engagements 
taken at the Hong Kong Ministerial Conference and called for stronger political  engagement by all 
Members.  
36.  Also underscoring the vital importance of updated notifications in informing negotiators, Chad 
noted its limited capacity in keeping its own notifications up to date and called for the Secretariat's 
assistance in this regard.  Côte d'Ivoire and Burkina Faso also supported the C-4's st atement.  
37.  Côte d'Ivoire highlighted the importance of the cotton sector in its economic growth. It noted 
that, despite its several successful reforms on the cotton value chain such as increasing production 
and yield as well as the recent adoption of the eP hyto solution which facilitated cotton exports, the 
sector still faced many challenges including the spread of the Jassid disease , the lasting  economic 
shock resulting from  the COVID -19 pandemic exacerbated more recently by the conflict in Ukraine  
and its impact on input prices including fertili sers. In this context, C ôte d'Ivoire voiced its concern 
on the continued high trade -distorting domestic support levels granted by some Members and the 
lack of notifications in some cases. In accordance with the Hong Kong mandate to address cotton 
"ambitiously, expeditiously, and specifically", C ôte d'Ivoire called for the relaunch and acceleration 
of cotton negotiations towards a successful outcome at MC13. Burkina Faso also highlighted the 
difficulties faced by cotto n producers in the C -4 countries to access fertilisers due to increased prices 
and limited availability and called for development assistance partners' help  in this regard.  
 
8 The Secretariat's presentation can be found here. 
9 Documents TN/AG/GEN/34/Rev.1 8 - TN/AG/SCC/GEN/13/Rev.1 8, TN/AG/GEN/34/Rev.1 8/Add.1 - 
TN/AG/SCC/GEN/13/Rev.1 8/Add.1, TN/AG/GEN/34/Rev.1 8/Add.2 - TN/AG/SCC/GEN/13/Rev.1 8/Add.2, dated 
5 May 2023. TN/AG/56 • TN/AG/SCC/21  
 
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  38.  Under the "COVID -19 and Cotton " agenda item, Mali introduced a  written submission10 on 
trade and trade -related measures taken in the context of the COVID -19 pandemic . Côte d'Ivoire, on 
behalf of the C -4, welcomed the inclusion of this item in the agenda, which provides the opportunity 
to monitor  the evolution of the COVID -19 effects  on the cotton sector .  Côte d'Ivoire expressed the 
group's appreciation towards several international organizations such as the WTO, FA O and ILO for 
their work on accessing the  impact of th e pandemic on the entire cotton value chain.  The C -4 
suppor ted the common conclusions  shared  by various studies , including the one by the WTO 
Secretariat, that the sector and its producers ha d been hit  hard by the immediate consequences of 
the pandemic, particularly in terms of reduced production , sharp drop in sa les, job losses and 
disruptions to the logistics and supply chain on which cotton production and trade depend.  The C -4 
also agreed with the warning given by those studies that the  repercussions of the pandemic on 
cotton sector would be long -lasting and wou ld continue to be felt beyond the pandemic itself. One 
example, noted by the C -4, was that the prices of products and services entering the cotton 
production and processing chain ha d not returned to their pre -pandemic levels.   
39.  In light of the serious negat ive impacts of the on -going geo -political crisis on the C -4 cotton 
sector, after the COVID -19 shock, t he C-4 also called for a deeper and more global reflection to 
strengthen the resilience, viability and sustainability of the  cotton  sector , taking into ac count the 
possible recurrence s of health and climate crises, conflicts, as well as the situation of volatile input 
prices . Faced with such a context of uncertainty, the C-4 urged WTO Members to proactively engage 
in cotton negotiations  bearing in mind the spirit of the Hong Kong mandate to deal with cotton in an 
"ambitious, expeditious, and specific"  manner.  
  
 
10 Contained in the annex to this report. Mali's presentation is available here.  TN/AG/56 • TN/AG/SCC/21  
 
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  ANNEX  
 
SUBMISSION BY MALI  (ORIGINAL SUBMISSION IN FRENCH)  
 
SUGGESTED TEMPLATES FOR SUBMITTING INFORMATION ON TRADE  
AND TRADE -RELATED MEASURES AND MEASURES  
TAKEN IN THE CONTEXT OF COVID -19 
Period:  mid-October 2022 to mid -May 2023  
 
Import -related measures  
Example  
 
Measure  Source  Date  HS Codes  
Special procedure for aid consignments 
(medical equipment, devices and supplies 
to combat the coronavirus (COVID -19) 
pandemic)  Circular 
No. 0010/MEF -DGD 
of 31 March  2020.  Date [the year 
2020 and for 
the period of 
the pandemic]  HS Codes  
(38 22 00 00  
30 02 15 00  
90 27 80 00  
63 07 90 00  
90 20 00 00  
90 04 90 90  
39 26 20 00  
40 15 11 00  
40 15 19 00  
61 16 10 00  
62 16 00 00  
65 05 00 10  
62 10 10 00  
62 10 20 00  
62 10 30 00  
62 10 40 00  
90 25 11 00  
22 07 10 00  
38 08 94 90  
84 19 20 00  
28 47 00 00  
30 04 90 90  
30 05 90 00  
48 18 90 00  
90 18 90 00  
Export -related measures  
Example  
 
Measure  Source  Date  HS Codes  
Suspension of export of cotton seed, 
cotton cake, millet, sorghum, maize and 
local rice.  
 Interministerial 
Order No.  2021 – 
5126/MIC -MEF-SG 
of 6 December  2021.  In force  HS Codes  
(at 8-digit level )  
Trade remedy actions  
Example of anti -dumping and countervailing measures  
 
Measure  Source  Date  HS Codes  
[Initiation] [Termination] on [date] of 
anti-dumping/countervailing investigation on 
imports of  
xx product(s) from xx country(ies)  Name and 
serial number 
of the 
legislation  Date 
[Initiation] 
[Termination]  HS Codes  
(at 8-digit level)  TN/AG/56 • TN/AG/SCC/21  
 
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  Example of safeguard measures  
 
Measure  Source  Date  HS Codes  
[Initiation] [Termination] on [date] of 
safeguard investigation on imports of  
xx product(s)  Name and 
serial 
number of 
the 
legislation  Date 
[Initiation] 
[Termination]  HS Codes  
(at 8-digit level)  
General economic support measures  
Example  
 
Measure  Source  Date  
Government procurement system for 
measures to prevent and respond to 
coronavirus or COVID -19: 
 
- Contracts for works, supplies, 
services and intellectual services 
are awarded by direct negotiation.  
- Contracts for works, supplies and 
services valued at less than 
CFAF 1 billion (1,000,0000,000) or 
contracts for intellectual services 
worth less than CFAF  150 million 
(150,000,000) . 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Decree No.  2020-0276/P -RM  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Entered into force 
on 11  June 2020, 
in force until 
coronavirus or 
COVID -19 has 
passed.  
Measure on relief from duties and taxes 
on sanitary and pharmaceutical products 
used to combat COVID -19. 
 
This measure relates to the following 
products:  
 
➢ protective masks on which customs 
duty (CD) and VAT are payable and 
where their impact has already been 
evaluated under measure No.  7; 
➢ VAT-exempt hydro -alcoholic gels on 
which CD is due;  
➢ diagnostic reagents exempted from 
CD and VAT;  
➢ instruments and diagnostic devices 
on which CD and VAT are due;  
➢ gloves on which CD and  VAT are 
payable excluding surgical gloves.  
 
Pharmaceutical products classified in 
category zero (0) are exempt from customs 
duty and VAT on the same basis as 
hydro -alcoholic gels, reagents and surgical 
gloves.  
 
➢ Exemption from VAT on imports and 
local purchases of cotton seed  
 
➢ Reduction in the taxable base for the 
importation of 10,000 tonnes of 
sugar and removal of the special 
import tax (TCI).  
 
 Circulars Nos  10 of 31  March  2020 
and  
12 of 8  April 2020 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Order No.  2021- 0641/MEF -SG of 
5 March  2021.  
 
Letter No.  1140/ MEF -SG of 
21 November  2022.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
Measure st ill in 
force 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
In force for the 
fiscal year 2022 -23 
 
 
Termination on 
31 Dec. 2022 
 
 
 
 
 
 TN/AG/56 • TN/AG/SCC/21  
 
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  Measure  Source  Date  
➢ Tax remission  
 
–postponement of the date for the annual 
return;  
 
–moderation of penalties to 25% and 50%.  
 
 
  
- Order No  2021-0865/MEF -SG of 
16 March  2021 establishing the tax and 
customs regime applicable to public 
and/or other contracts related to the 
emergency project to combat 
coronavirus (COVID -19), 
 
- Letter No.  01671 / MEF -SG to the 
Director -General of Taxation   
 
 
In force  
Policy developments in trade in services  
Example  
 
Measure  Mode(s) of 
supply  Sectoral 
classification  Source  Date  
[Brief description of the 
measure introduced (key 
points)]  (Modes of 
supply 
affected by the 
measure)  Identification of 
the sector based 
on the Services 
Sectoral 
Classification List 
(MTN.GNS/W/120).  
 Name and 
serial number 
of the 
legislation  Date [initiati on] 
[termination]  
Policy developments in trade in intellectual property rights  
Example  
 
IP-related initiatives  Source  Date  
Operational mechanism to combat piracy, counterfeiting and unfair 
competition.  
 
  Partnership 
Convention on the 
Protection of 
Intellectual Property 
Rights in Mali of 
26 April 2019  Still in force  
Note:  The above represents suggested templates which delegations may find helpful in submitting 
information on trade and trade -related measures. However, Members are encou raged to submit 
information on such measures even if the information available does not strictly follow the suggested 
templates.  
__________