WT/MIN(17)/ST/66  
 
18 December 2017  
(17-7009) Page: 1/2 
Ministerial Conference  
Eleventh Session  
Buenos Aires, 10 -13 December 2017  Original: English  
 
 
STATEMENT BY MS. SANJA ZOGRAFSKA -KRSTESKA  
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR F OR MULTILATERAL ECON OMIC RELATIONS  
THE FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA  
On behalf of the Government of the Republic of Macedonia, I would like to congratulate the 
Government of Argentina for the excellent organization of the MC11 and for their warm hospitality. 
We welcome the accession of Liberia and Afghanistan to the Organiz ation and remain committed to 
supporting the accession of other acceding countries. The Republic of Macedonia encourages and 
welcomes the early accession of Bosnia and Herzegovina and of the Republic of Serbia, which 
would additionally boost trade and econ omic growth in our closer Region. In addition to the 
existing cooperation within CEFTA, the regional countries have decided to further develop their 
cooperation by creating a Regional Economic Area in the Western Balkans, which would enable 
unobstructed fl ow of goods, services, capital and highly skilled labour, making the Region more 
attractive for investments and commerce.  
 
The Republic of Macedonia is a strong supporter of the multilateral system. As a small landlocked 
country, we believe that rules -based international system, including predictable and transparent 
multilateral trading system, gives greater certainty in trade relations, especially for smaller 
countries that make up the majority of WTO members.  During the 22 years of its existence, the 
WTO has confirmed its role in strengthening the multilateral trading system and in promoting open 
global trade. By pursuing these activities, the WTO contributes to opening new jobs, global 
economic growth and development. Our job at the MC11 is to reaffirm the WTO as a valuable 
platform for trade negotiations, regulation and liberalization that stimulate growth.  
 
We welcome the entry into force of the Trade Facilitation Agreement. This, together with the entry 
into force of the Protocol Amending the Agreeme nt on Trade -Related Aspects of Intellectual 
Property Rights and the Decision Amending the Trade Policy Review Mechanism, have been among 
WTO's achievements attained since the MC10. We are glad that the WTO recorded 97.5% on 
Macedonia’s rate of implemented commitments regarding Trade Facilitation Agreement. 
Furthermore, this is an opportunity to call upon Members to fully implement the TFA.  
 
While praising the achievements of our Organization, it has to be noted that our work has not 
progressed to the satisf action and benefit of the entire membership. Developing countries and 
LDCs are still lagging behind and more needs to be done to assist their development. Negotiations 
under the Doha Development Agenda are difficult because of diverging positions, but ever yone will 
have to do their fair share of work to ensure that everybody benefits from trade.  
 
In keeping pace with the ever changing reality, it has to be acknowledged that digital technology is 
becoming an integral part of our lives and it has transformed how people communicate, learn and 
work. It is without surprise that the 2017 World Trade Report focuses on the inter -linkages 
between trade and technology, as powerful drivers of development and their impact on labour 
markets. The digitalization of the glo bal economy has advanced, although not equally throughout 
the world. Even in the most remote areas, without a banking infrastructure, people are able to 
connect and conduct commercial activities via mobile phones. Both fixed and mobile broadband 
use in Mac edonia has expanded in recent years, covering 94% of companies in 2015, compared to 
87% five years earlier. The advantages of e -commerce have become most beneficial for SMEs, 
which account for over 99% of all companies in my country. This is equally true f or the sector of 
services in Macedonia, bearing in mind the fact that half of the economy’s jobs are in the service 
sector. Therefore, Macedonia has carefully studied the proposals on e -commerce, domestic WT/MIN(17)/ST/66  
 
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  regulations on services, MSMEs. We support these in itiatives and hope that we will be able to 
reach decisions at the MC11.  Macedonia is interested in participating actively and in contributing 
to the Working Group on e -commerce that should prepare for and pursue negotiations on trade -
related aspects of el ectronic commerce, on the basis of proposals by Members.  
 
We are particularly glad that the proposal submitted by the Union of Chambers of Commerce of 
the Republic of Macedonia was the second selected under the Small Business Champions initiative, 
launche d by the WTO and the ITC. As WTO Director -General Azev êdo stated "the project, named 
"WORLD NET for Small Businesses " provides a digital shop -window for SMEs to promote their 
products, services and training opportunities and supports and encourages small f irms to seek 
opportu nities in international markets" . 
 
Empowerment of women is another issue Macedonia feels strong about. We are thankful to the 
countries that brought this proposal forward. Women empowerment provides for potential for 
growth that needs t o be considered when elaborating economic and trade policies. Macedonia 
stands behind the Joint Declaration on Trade and Women 's Economic Empowerment and is among 
the countries championing gender issues.  
 
In line with the Decision on beginning negotiation s for accession to the WTO plurilateral Agreement 
on Government Procurement, Macedonia prepares the Initial Offer composed of 7 Annexes. Our 
intention is to submit the Initial Offer for discussion at the next session of the WTO Committee on 
Government Proc urement, in 2018. Accession to the GPA can open new perspectives for our 
economy and will ensure greater transparency and accountability in this domain that will send a 
positive signal to all potential investors.   
 
In closing, let me wish all delegates a productive and successful conference. Let us strive for what 
is achievable and commit to narrowing our differences in the negotiations, here in Buenos Aires 
and in the follow -up to the MC11.  
 
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