WT/MIN(17)/ST/ 2 
13 December 2017  
(17-6875) Page: 1/2 
Ministerial Conference  
Eleventh  Session  
Buenos Aires , 10-13 December 20 17 Original: English  
 
STATEMENT BY H.E. SH EIKH AHMED BIN JASSI M AL -THANI  
MINISTER OF ECONOMY AND COMMERCE OF THE STATE OF QATAR  
QATAR 
Let me begin by expressing my deep appreciation to the Government of Argentina for hosting the 
11th WTO Ministerial Conference in this beautiful city of Buenos Aires, and for the warm hospitality 
we have received from the Government and the People of Argentina.  
 
I would like to recall the achievements made by this Organizat ion in promoting multilateral trade 
and development; particularly the WTO’s biggest undertaking and achievement the launch of the 
Doha Development Agenda.  
 
I reaffirm my delegation’s commitment to a successful conclusion of the DDA. Qatar has long been 
a strong proponent for an open and inclusive World Trade Organization, whereby members could 
discuss any issue they deem important to the multilateral trading system.  
 
As a small country, Qatar has always advocated an all -inclusive multilateral trading system  and is 
an active member within this organization. We are a nation that has, throughout history, been 
dependent on trade. Therefore, the recent rise in protectionism that we are witnessing today is of 
growing concern. Studies show that the world’s top 60 e conomies  have adopted more than 7,000 
protectionist trade measures on a net basis since the financial crisis,  and tariffs are now worth 
more than $400 billion.  Qatar recently has been at the forefront of this rising tide of protectionism.  
We reiterate our serious concern on the current regional situation and its trade -disruptive 
implications not only for Qatar but for many other WTO Members trading with Qatar. Let me state 
without any ambiguity  that Qatar will always abide by all of its multilateral  and bil ateral trade 
obligations owed to all of its trading partners,  regardless of their political tendencies.  We reaffirm 
our commitment to the rule of law  which is essential to protect our rights under agreed WTO 
disciplines.  
 
The accession of new members is es sential to creating an inclusive multilateral trading system. We 
encourage the support of accession of all countries, including the Arab countries currently in 
process of accession. Thus, extend our full support to Sudan, Somalia, Algeria, Iraq and Lebanon  
to accede and benefit from membership to the organization. Moreover, we extend our full 
endorsement for observer status to the State of Palestine.  
 
We fully understand that there is a need to conclude the outstanding issues of the Doha 
Development Agenda.   There are many members, and we include ourselves among them, who 
strongly advocate the importance of expanding that agenda to include certain other issues such as 
MSMEs, Investment Facilitation and E -Commerce. It is our belief that the inclusion of such issues 
for discussion in the WTO will help recalibrate the required balance for concluding the outstanding 
DDA issues.  
 
On Investment Facilitation, our long history of inward and outward bound investment has 
convinced us of the essential link between trade  and investment. Investment facilitation policies 
and measures  can help countries foster development,  diversify their export capacity, integrate into 
global value chains and link up to the digital economy.  As a member of the Friends of Investment 
Facilitat ion for Development  we look to structured discussions on the issue at the WTO, and look 
forward to receiving guidance during the Ministerial Conference  on the way forward.  
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With regard to MSMEs,  we believe that MSMEs play a vital role in the economies of developing 
countries and would thus support any discussions looking to further integrate and support MSME’s 
in the multilateral trading system.  
 
Finally, on E -Commerce, we believe that there is an essential and growing relationship between 
Trade and E -Commerce. Furthermore, we believe that the application of E -Commerce in 
businesses is a strong propeller towards development. With the world of E -commerce growing at 
an exponential rate, it is essential that the WTO adapt to facilitate this growth.  
 
Buenos Aires presents all WTO Members with a chance to reaffirm our commitments to the 
Multilateral Trading System and preserve the credibility of the WTO . Qatar stands ready to 
contribute to achieving fruitful and meaningful outcomes, here at MC11. This will allow us to regain 
traction towards preserving a functioning and inclusive multilateral trading system.  
 
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