INF/IFD/W/4  
 
 2 May 2019 
(19-3035) Page: 1/2 
 Original: English  
 
WTO STRUCTURED DISCU SSIONS ON INVESTMENT  
FACILITATION FOR DEV ELOPMENT  
 
MEETING OF 16 MAY 20 19 
ANNOTATED A GENDA BY THE COORDIN ATOR  
Following the convening notice sent to all delegations on 17 April 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  dated 18 April 2019), the purpose of this 
meeting is to engag e in example -based discussions on the possible elements aimed at enhancing 
international cooperation, information sharing and the exchange of best practices as well as those 
related to the development dimension.  
As agreed by participating Members at the o pen-ended meeting in December 2018, discussions will 
be based on concrete examples – including text -based examples – 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 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 releva nt WTO provisions.  
In keeping with the open, transparent and inclusive 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 and with a view to organizing the discussions in the most 
efficient manner, the meeting will be structured on an "element -by-element" basis, following the 
order o f the elements as they appear in the Schedule of Meetings – namely:  
Elements aimed at enhancing international cooperation, information sharing and the 
exchange of best practices  
• International cooperation among Members, including through their competent 
authorities  
• International cooperation among Members at the multilateral level on investment 
facilitation -related matters, including through a WTO Committee  
Elements related to the d evelopment dimension  
• Consideration of challenges faced by developing countries  and especially LDCs  
• Sharing of best practices and information on facilitating FDI to identify global 
benchmarks  
• Special and differential treatment  
• Technical assistance and capacity building  
                                                
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/4  
 
- 2 - 
 
  1.2.    As per past practice , for each of the above elements and in suc cessive order:  
➢ Members will be invited to present their examples  on the corresponding element . While 
presenting their examples, Members are encouraged to address the three guiding questions 
mentioned in paragraph 1.3  hereunder . Following the presentation o f examples by Members 
under each element, delegations may request clarifications or make comments, if they so 
wish. 
➢ Members' presentations of examples and ensuing clarifications/comments under each 
corresponding element may be followed by a presentation ma de 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 put forward by the 
Coordinator , or raise any issue relating to the element under discussion.  
1.3.  In preparing, presenting and discussing the examples, Members are invited to consider the 
following guiding questions with the aim of facilitating the e xample -based discussions and having an 
interactive  meeting:  
1. What is the source of the example (e.g. WTO te xt, provisions based on Members'  own 
practices and/or agreements, or any other text suggestions)?  
2. How is the example relevant to the discussions ? 
3. Would the example need to be adapted or modified, and if so, how?  
 
2  ANY OTHER INVESTMENT  FACILITATION -RELATE D ISSUES  
2.1.  Under this item, Members may revert to any issue discussed at previous meetings ,2 including 
by submitting further examples or sharing experience, or raise any other investment facilitation -
related issues .  
2.2.  In that connection, the delegation of Switzerland had kindly offered to share its experience 
with the single window mechanism. This  presentation will be delivered in the afternoon. After the 
presentation, the floor will be opened for questions or comments from delegations.  
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 streamlining and speeding up 
administrative procedures and requirements". Prepared under the responsibility of the Coordinator, 
the compendium will be circulated ahead of the meeting on 16 May. Its co ntent, structure and format 
are without prejudice to the position of Members in the discussions. After a brief introduction by the 
Coordinator, delegations will be invited to comment on the document, as they deem appropriate.  
4  OTHER BUSINESS  
 
 
__________  
 
                                                
2 The example -based discussions have so far addressed the elements aimed at improving the 
transparency and predictability of investment measures (4 Marc h 2019), and the elements aimed at 
streamlining and speeding up administrative procedures and requirements ( 11 April 2019).