RESTRICTED  
  
G/IT/M/75  
 
14 December  2021 
(21-9320) Page: 1/4 
Committee of Participants on the Expansion of Trade in 
Information Technology Products   
 
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF 17  NOVEMBER  2021  
CHAIRPERSON: MS  KATARZYNA STECZ  
The Committee of Participants on the Expansion of Trade in Information Technology Products held 
its 75th formal meeting  in special session , on 17  November  2021, to approve Lao  PDR's participation  
to the ITA . The airgram of the meeting was circulated in doc ument  WTO/AIR/IT/14 . 
 
1  APPROVAL OF LAO  PDR'S ITA  SCHEDULE  
1.1.  The Chairperson  briefly recalled, for the Committee's information and record, the history of the 
ITA participation of Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao  PDR). 
1.2.  She noted that , on 28 June 2021, the Mission of Lao  PDR had sent a Note Verbale to the WTO, 
informing Members of its intention to join the ITA and ITA  Expansion Agreements. The electronic 
version of Lao PDR's draft ITA and ITA  Expansion Schedules, as well as an Explanatory Note, had 
been subm itted on the same day.  
1.3.  Upon receipt of Lao  PDR's draft ITA  Schedule, the Secretariat had followed established practice 
by carrying out  a technical verification of the Schedule and preparing  a verification sheet. The 
Secretariat's verification sheet, as well as Lao  PDR's draft ITA  Schedule, had been  circulated to all 
ITA Participants on 13  July. 
1.4.  An informal Committee meeting had been  held on 30  July to hear ITA Participants ' feedback  
regardin g Lao PDR's draft ITA  Schedule. At that meeting, Lao  PDR's delegation had introduced their 
draft ITA  Schedule and policy considerations concerning  its decision to join the ITA and 
ITA Expansion. Some participants had provided their preliminary comments , at the same time 
indicating their  intention to follow up with the delegation of Lao  PDR bilaterally regarding certain 
technical details.  
1.5.  During August and early September  2021, Lao PDR had held bilateral discussions with several 
interested delegations regard ing technical details of its ITA  Schedule.  
1.6.  At the Committee's formal meeting of 17 September  2021, under agenda item  7, namely, 
"Lao PDR's Participation to the ITA", the delegation of Lao  PDR, as well as those participants that 
had engaged in bilateral dis cussions with Lao  PDR, had informed the Committee that they were 
satisfied with their bilateral technical exchanges.  
1.7.  On 25  October  2021, Lao PDR's revised ITA Schedule, which  had incorporated certain technical 
modifications based on bilateral verifications , had been circulated to all ITA Participants, for their 
final approval, in document  G/IT/31.  
1.8.  On 26  October  2021, she had circulated to ITA  Participants, in her capacity as Chairperson of 
the Committee, a communication and technical note indicating new mod ifications in tracked changes. 
In this communication, she had requested ITA Participants to provide comments regarding Lao  PDR's 
revised ITA  Schedule, if any, by close of business on Wednesday, 3  November  2021. She informed 
the Committee that no further co mments ha d been received.  G/IT/M/75  
 
- 2 - 
 
  1.9.  The Chairperson proposed  that the Committee approve by consensus the revised ITA  Schedule 
of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, circulated in document  G/IT/31, and welcome Lao  PDR as 
a new participant to the ITA.  
1.10.   The Committee  so agreed . 
1.11.   The Chairperson  underscored the Committee 's warm welcome to  Lao PDR as a new individual 
participant to the ITA. She noted that, with Lao PDR's participation, the overall number of 
participants to the ITA had risen to  83. With its imminent participation also to the ITA  Expansion, 
Lao PDR would shortly be the first  least developed country (LDC) to have joined both the ITA and 
ITA Expansion Agreements.  As had already been very eloquently elaborated by several speakers at 
the ITA  Symposium that had been held in September of that year, information technology and 
IT products had already become the most critical driving force in modern economies , and an 
indispensable part of everyday life. Joining the ITA , through eliminating import duties on products 
in such an important sector , would  not only make IT  products more afford able and accessible for 
the people of Lao  PDR, but it  would also help Lao PDR to attract more foreign investment, Lao PDR 
being a destination open to being integrated into global IT  production chains. In this regard , she 
congratulate d the Government of Lao PDR, and its negotiating team , for this strategic decision , and 
for the great  effort that they had made to realize their participation to both the ITA and 
ITA Expansion Agreements.  
1.12.   The delegate of the European Union  indicated that the EU warmly welcomed Lao PDR's 
decision to join the ITA and ITA  Expansion Agreements , and to elimina te duties on ICT  goods by 
2026 at the latest . It was an ambitious step that was set to spur innovation and further Lao PDR's 
economic growth.  The EU thank ed Lao PDR for its written exchanges on the proposed schedule, and 
approved Lao  PDR's  final schedule a s circulated by the WTO  Secretariat. It was a very good 
achievement and a real boost for the ITA  Committee.  
1.13.   The delegate of Japan  indicated that it was their honour and pleasure to welcome Lao PDR to 
the Committee  and to approve its draft ITA  Schedule. Giv en the importance of further expansion in 
ITA participation , Japan believe d that Lao PDR's  accession was a great opportunity to promote other 
Members' participation, especially by raising awareness of the benefits of ITA  accession among 
developing Members.  
1.14.   Japan believe d that Lao  PDR could play an essential role in global and regional value chain s 
thanks to its ITA accession and other relevant policy measures. Japan had also noted, at the 
ITA Symposium in September  of that year , that the representative of Lao  PDR had expressed the 
country 's willingness to put in the necessary effort to advance its transition into a  digital economy 
and to promote foreign investment. Japan stood ready to support and contribute to this process in 
pursuit of Lao PDR's  future development.  
1.15.   The delegate of China  congratulate d Lao PDR on the successful conclusion of its process to 
become a participant, and  the first LDC participant, to the ITA . Indeed, China highly appreciate d 
Lao PDR's foresight in joining the ITA and ITA Expansion Agreements, and thank ed Lao PDR's team  
for all their hard work.  
1.16.   China  believe d that Lao  PDR's participation in the ITA and ITA  Expansion would bring it 
concrete development s in terms of attracting investment, integrating into global and regional value 
chains, increasing economic efficiency and productivity, and supporting Lao PDR's economic 
recovery from the COVID -19 pandemic.  
1.17.   He commented that certain  Chinese enterprises ope rating in Lao  PDR had already provided 
very positive feedback in this regard . Indeed, they warmly welcome d and were highly  encouraged 
by Lao PDR's decision to join the agreements, which would  significantly reduce the costs of their 
relevant imports , and cr eate a better investment environment for their operation s in Lao  PDR. 
1.18.   As MC12 was approaching, China believe d that Lao  PDR's participation to the ITA and 
ITA Expansion sent out an important message , demonstrating that the WTO could continue to bring 
tangib le benefits to all its Members.  G/IT/M/75  
 
- 3 - 
 
  1.19.   In conclusion , China congratulate d Lao PDR again on its excellent work , and also thank ed the 
Secretariat for its huge contribution to wards realizing Lao  PDR's ITA  participation . 
1.20.   The delegate of the United Kingdom  welcome d Lao PDR as a new participant to the ITA , and 
looked forward to engaging with them as the first LDC  Member  to join both agreements.  
Furthermore, t he United Kingdom  believe d that participation to the ITA could greatly support 
developing countries th rough their greater integration into global value chains for ICT  products ; it 
could also help them to achieve and pursue their internal development goals , and raise living  
standards . To this end, the United Kingdom looked forward to reflecting with Lao PDR, and other 
ITA Participants,  on their experience acceding to the ITA and , following their accession, on their 
participation  itself. Further to the discussions that had taken  place at the recent ITA Symposium , 
such reflections could assist ITA  Participants  to explore the possible participation of additional 
developing countries and LDCs.  
1.21.   The delegate of Turkey  congratulate d Lao PDR upon their accession to the ITA , and also 
thank ed the Secretariat and Chair person  for their efforts in this regard . 
1.22.   The delegate of the United States  noted that the United States  was pleased to approve 
Lao PDR's ITA  Schedule and looked forward to working with Lao  PDR as a participant to the 
Committee.  
1.23.   This was a momentous occasion for the Agreement. Lao  PDR would be the  first LDC to become 
a participant to both ITA and ITA  Expansion Agreements. Lao PDR had  set an example that the 
United States hoped others would follow. Furthermore, Lao PDR stood poised to realize the benefits 
to joining the ITA for its economy, its cons umers, its businesses, as well as its integration into global 
supply chains.  
1.24.   With the approval of Lao PDR's  ITA schedules, the focus would  turn, following the 
1980 procedures, as well as the necessary domestic procedural steps , to the implement ation of  
Lao PDR's  duty-free commitments.  In this regard, the United States looked forward to hearing 
updates on the status of this work ; indeed, the benefits of ITA  participation would  only be realized 
once implementation had been  complete d. 
1.25.   The United States  also thank ed the Committee and the Secretariat for expediting the review 
to ensure the approval of Lao PDR's  ITA Schedule, which was a positive development in advance of 
MC12.  
1.26.   The delegate of Canada  expressed Canada's warm welcome to Lao  PDR for joining other 
ITA participants at the ITA  table. Echoing its comments at Lao  PDR's recent Trade Policy Review, 
Canada  applaud ed the Government  of Lao  PDR's economic progress since its WTO accession.  
Indeed, Lao  PDR had  enacted several macroeconomic policies to addr ess structural vulnerabilities 
and weaknesses ; furthermore, it saw a clear path of development that should keep it on track to 
becoming a middle -income country by 2030.  In conclusion, Canada strongly hope d that Lao PDR's 
accession to the ITA and ITA  II Agreements was very much supportive of that goal, and could help 
Lao PDR to reach it. 
1.27.   The delegate of  Lao PDR, Mr Santisouk  Phounesavath , first expressed Lao  PDR's  gratitude to 
the Chairperson and all ITA Participants  for having enabled Lao  PDR to become a participant to the 
ITA I and ITA  II Agreements in an efficient and speedy way , thereby becoming the first  LDC to join 
these agreements outside of an accession process. Lao PDR also  thank ed the Secretariat for its great 
support.  
1.28.   Lao PDR assured all ITA  Participants that it would do its best to ensure the faithful and timely 
implementation of its commitments , since Lao PDR consider ed its participation to be a logical step 
in its economic integration policy. Lao  PDR was aware that its IT sector was still very 
underdeveloped , and believe d that a conducive legal and policy framework would  help it to develop 
its IT sector. Lao PDR's participation to the ITA was one element in its Digital Economy Strategy that 
complement ed its ICT-related legislation.  
1.29.   By providing legal security to its investors, Lao PDR hoped to attract foreign investment to 
assist in build ing up its digital infrastructure and capacity , and to ensure that it was included in G/IT/M/75  
 
- 4 - 
 
  global value chains. Lao PDR needed foreign capital, know -how, and technology transfer in this  
important sector. At the same time , Lao PDR's  participation in these agreements also show ed its 
commitment to an international trading system. Therefore, Lao PDR believe d that it was important 
that plurilateral agreements were responsive to the development needs of WTO  Members , and were 
as inclusive as possible. Lao PDR thereby thank ed ITA Participants for having shown flexibility in 
taking its concerns  into accou nt, and hope d that it was a forerunner to making these agreements 
more inclusive.  
1.30.   Lao PDR also wishe d to show that poorer developing Member states, like Lao  PDR, were willing 
and able to take commitments, if those commitments were in their development interest. In this 
regard, Lao  PDR consider ed that the commitments it was taking were not concessions to its trading 
partners, but measures taken in the country's best interest s, and that Lao PDR had commit ted itself 
for its own sake. Furthermore, as  many studies ha d shown, the majority of the benefits reaped from 
participation in international agreements were due to internal reforms. Therefore, Lao  PDR urged its 
WTO colleagues to ensure that WTO Agreements were development -friendly , thus encourag ing less 
developed Members to participate in them.  
1.31.   Indeed, Lao PDR's participation in the ITA  Agreements was not an objective in itself, but 
rather a means to develop Lao PDR's ICT sector. Lao PDR's task and responsibility was to ensure 
that both  its consumers and its producers reap ed the benefits of the opportunities that integration 
into the world economy offer ed. Lao PDR could not achieve this on its own. Instead, Lao  PDR needed 
the support of its friends , through technical assistance , so as to ensure that its framework was in 
line with best international practices ; in addition, Lao  PDR needed capital to establish the required 
infrastructure ; and last but not least, Lao PDR needed foreign investment to give it access to the 
required tech nology and know -how to be part of global value chains , as well as support in attracting 
them.  
1.32.   For that purpose, Lao PDR intend ed to organize information sessions both for its people and 
its businesses , as well as foreign investors , as follow ed: (i) a WTO -hosted press conference on 
Lao PDR’s participation  to the ITA I and ITA  Expansion  Agreements1; and (ii)  an international 
business symposium . 
1.33.   In short, Lao  PDR wished to  work together with all its partners to ensure that its participation 
to the ITA  Agreements resulted in real and visible benefits for its people. Indeed, Lao  PDR's 
participation was not some abstract activity ; the population of Lao  PDR needed to see that the 
contribution  of its ITA  participation was having a direct and positive impact on their lives.  
1.34.   Lao PDR also believe d that it was in the interest s of the WTO to show that participating in the 
Organization was worthwhile ; once its population could see the tangible benefi ts of taking 
commitments and participating in agreements , it would  encourage other developing Member s to 
again believe that the international community did indeed care about their development needs. 
Indeed, the WTO needed the participation of all its Membe rs in order for it to be revitalize d and 
reinvigorated in its fight against protectionist tendencies.  
1.35.   On behalf of the Committee, the Chairperson  again congratulated Lao  PDR, and noted that 
Lao PDR was paving  the way for other LDCs to join the ITA  Agreemen ts. 
1.36.   As for next steps, she noted that, in accordance with paragraph  2 of the Annex to the 
Ministerial Declaration, as well as the Decision of 26  March  1980 on the Procedures for Modification 
and Rectification of Schedules of Tariff Concessions, once Lao  PDR had completed its domestic 
legislative procedures, the approved ITA  Schedule would be submitted as a modification to Lao  PDR's 
Schedule in a G/MA/TAR/RS  document. If no objection was received from the WTO  Membership 
within 90  days, the modified Schedule would be certified by the Director -General.  
1.37.   The meeting was adjourned . 
__________  
 
1 This press conference took place on Thursday, 2  December  2021.