WT/MIN(17)/ST/113  
 
8 January 2018  
(18-0106) Page: 1/1 
Ministerial Conference  
Eleventh Session  
Buenos Aires, 10 -13 December 2017  Original: English  
 
STATEMENT CIRCULATED  BY H.E. MR ERNESTO MAX TONELA  
MINISTER FOR INDUSTR Y AND TRADE  
MOZAMBIQUE  
The Multilateral Trading System remains the strongest force, and the WTO its instrument for rules 
making/design, aiming at promoting growth and economic development, and we strongly believe 
that a well -functioning multilateral trading System, rules based, are essential for the efficiency of 
international trade and for the well -functioning of the global economy. In May this year, we did our 
trade policy review presentation to the WTO and we have reiterated our commitment to providing 
Mozambique’s contributio n towards an early conclusion of the Doha Development Round in its 
objective of promoting a more inclusive, equitable and development -oriented international trading 
system. Our developmental policies are being designed with the aspiration that trade can be  
instrumental for the wellbeing our population.  
 
Many years have passed since the launching of the Doha Round; the environment has changed 
significantly, and no one can deny this reality. While this is true, this cannot be an excuse to 
retrograde from our commitments to use trade as an engine for the development of our countries, 
a source of income for many families, especially those are involved in agriculture.  Therefore, it is 
crucial to conclude the Doha Round with its developmental dimensio n at the cen tre of its agenda. 
Mozambique expects substantive outcomes on Agriculture that include Cotton and permanent 
solution on food security. Development is of utmost importance and this should be reflected in all 
deliverables including on the spec ific proposal p osed in by G90. It is true that there are still 
divergences in several issues, but let us put our energies and walk together, in a good faith for our 
prosperity. There is a need for delivering good results for us and for our next coming generations. 
It is our hope that we can leave Buenos Aires with the commitment to strengthening the 
multilateral trading system.  
 
Mozambique would like to add her voice to the statements presented by African, ACP and LDC 
Groups, for the need to find permanent solutions to di fferent problems we are facing today. This 
will indeed ensure more trust and credibility to the multilateral trading system as a vehicle to use 
trade as a developmental instrument.  Additionally, given the imbalances that characterize the 
Developing countri es and LDC’s on these issues, we request that appropriate knowledge and 
capacity building be provided.  
 
Regarding fisheries, Mozambique calls for the implementation of the SDG 14.6 as mandated by the 
World Leaders, starting with the elimination of subsidie s that leads to illegal, unregulated and 
unreported fisheries. We also call for adoption of provisions that foresee special and differential 
treatment for the Lest Developing and Developing Countries.  On the new issues, while there is no 
doubt that some of  them are of great importance; it is our view that a more exploratory work is 
still needed, before Members enter into negotiations aiming at defining rules on the referred 
matters. We should conclude the already existing DDA issues.  
 
Like other least devel oped countries, Mozambique is facing difficulties and many challenges. We 
would like to reiterate the importance of Aid for Trade, as well as of the EIF to assist us in our 
domestic efforts to increase and improve productive capacity, in view to the enhanc ement of the 
supply side capacity and to build the necessary trade and trade related infrastructures and logistic 
services so as to be able to benefit from the global trade and access to markets.  
 
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