WT/MIN(17)/ST/54  
 
15 December 2017  
(17-6987) Page: 1/1 
Ministerial Conference  
Eleventh Session  
Buenos Aires, 10 -13 December 2017  Original: English  
 
STATEMENT BY MR ILAN  LAUFER  
MINISTER FOR BUSINES S ENVIRONMENT, COMME RCE AND ENTREPRENEUR SHIP  
ROMANIA  
Romania, as European Union Member State, is fully committed in supporting the WTO’s role as a 
gardian of the multilateral trade system. This is essential in promoting an inclusive economic 
growth and an open, rule -based and non -discriminatory multilateral trading system.  
 
We hope that our work in Geneva and in Buenos Aires will lead to balanced and positive results for 
our citizens and traders on many issues as possible. This may include e -commerce, transparency 
and good regulatory practices for goods and s ervices as well as public stockholding for food 
security, and fisheries subsidies.  
 
In line with the rest of the EU, Romania is highly interested with WTO rule -making agenda on 
modern issues like transparency and good regulatory practices for the benefit o f Micro, Small and 
Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), e -commerce  and horizontal subsidies.  
 
As Minister for entrepreneurship, SMEs and trade, I am committed to improving the business 
environment in my country, through a greater degree of transparency and concrete  programmes, 
such as Romania Start -Up Nation which is the largest program in EU for StartUPs, through which 
the Romania Government  financed this year 10.000 new companies and created 21.000 new jobs 
for yang entrepreneurs , providing them an easier access  to finances and increasing their 
participation to the international trade flows.  
 
Romania is also fully supporting the link between gender equality in international trade and the 
removal of barriers to women's participation in multilateral trade and econ omic development. I 
believe it 's very important to mention that more the 45% out of the new companies being financed 
this year by the Romania government trough Romania StartUp Nation program are women’s 
entrepreneurs.  
 
My Government is willing to encourage  the revival of the plurilateral trade negotiations on Trade in 
services Agreement (TiSA) and on the Environmental Goods Agreement (EGA).  
 
The Trade Facilitation Agreement represents an important tool for the development of trade flows, 
improving transpare ncy and legal certainty, reducing costs for importers and exporters by 
streamlining customs procedures. It represents a powerful tool for all WTO Members and providing 
a needed boost to the global economy.  
 
I came to Buenos Aires with the firm conviction t hat together we will get a successful Ministerial 
Conference for the benefit of all Members. We must constantly promote multilateralism as the 
first, best option for guaranteeing open, fair and rule -based system in the best interests of all WTO 
members.  We encourage all participants to assume their responsibilities, translating the political 
declarations into concrete actions in order to achieve a positive outcome at MC11.  
 
I am confident that our active involvement and joint efforts will bring positive results that will 
ensure a solid basis for further work, actions and decision, here and beyond the 11th WTO 
Ministerial Conference.  
__________