G/L/1057  
 
4 November 2013  
(13-6024)  Page: 1/8  
  
 
 REPORT (2013) OF THE COUNCIL FOR TRADE IN GOODS 
In accordance with the "Procedures for an Annual Overview of WTO Activities and for Reporting 
under the WTO" (WT/L/105), the Council for Trade in Goods is to report each year to the General 
Council on the activities in the Council as well as in the subsidiary bodies.  The reports are to be 
"factual in nature, containing an indication of actions and decisions taken, with cross references to reports of subordinate bodies and could follow the model of the GATT 1947 Council reports to the 
CONTRACTING PARTIES". 
Since its 2012 Annual Report (G/L/1018) was issued, the Council for Trade in Goods met four 
times in formal session on the following dates: 25 March 2013 (G/C/M/113); 11 July 2013 (G/C/M/114); 23 September 2013 (G/C/M/115); and 18 October 2013 (G/M/116
1). 
The subject matters which were raised and/or acted upon in the Council are as follows: 
1. Election of Chairperson; 
2. Appointment of Officers; 
3. Matters of the Committee on Market Access; 
4. Waivers under Article IX of the WTO Agreement; 5. European Union Enlargement; 
6. Notification of Regional Trade Agreements; 
7. Notifications:  
- Status of notifications under the provisions of the Agreements in Annex 1A of the 
WTO Agreement; 
8. Brazil - Indirect Taxation: Conditions to Obtain Tax Benefits in Various Sectors – Statements 
 by the European Union and Japan; 9. Indonesia's Import Restricting Policies and Practices – Request from the European Union and 
 the United States; 
10. Ukraine - Import Tariffs on Automobiles; 11. Ukraine's Article XXVIII Notification; 
12. Ukraine's Coking-Coal Import Quota - Request from the European Union and the 
United States; 
13. Russian Federation - Implementati on of WTO Accession Commitments; 
14. Japan - Wood Use Points Programme; 
15. Nigeria - Local Content Measures in Oil and Gas - Request from the European Union and the 
 United States; 16. European Union - The EU Renewable Ener gy Directive - Request from Indonesia; 
17. Gabon - Schedule XLVII: Renegotiatio ns under GATT Article XXVIII:4 (G/SECRET/36); 
18. Ukraine - Recycling Fees on Cars - Request from the European Union; 19. Russian Federation - Measures Affecting EU Imports into Russia - Request from the 
 European Union; 
20. Nigeria - Restriction/Ban Imposed by Nigeria to Imports of Sea Products - Request by  Iceland, Norway and Uruguay; 21. Work Programme on Electronic Commerce;  
22. Consideration of Annual Reports of Subsidiary Bodies; and 
23. Adoption of the Annual Report of the Council for Trade in Goods to the General Council. 
                                               
1 To be issued. G/L/1057 
 
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  1  ELECTION OF CHAIRPERSON FOR THE COUNCIL FOR TRADE IN GOODS   
1.1.  At its meeting of 25 March, the Council elected Ambassador Moncef BAATI (Tunisia) as its 
Chairperson for 2013.  1.2.  Following the departure of Ambassador B aati from Geneva, the meeting on 11 July was 
conducted by Ambassador Joakim REITER (Sweden) as interim Chairperson.  
1.3.  At the meeting on 23 September and follow ing the consultation process undertaken by the 
Chairperson of the General Council, the CTG elec ted Ambassador Dacio CASTILLO (Honduras), as 
its Chairperson for the remaining period of 2013.   
2  APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS FOR THE SUBSIDIARY BODIES OF THE COUNCIL  
2.1.  At its meeting of 25 March, the Council agreed on the nominations of the following persons as 
Chairpersons of its subsidiary bodies for 2013: 
Subsidiary Body Chairperson 
Market Access Mr. Krzysztof TREPCZYNSKI (Poland) 
Agriculture Mr. Guilherme MARQUARDT BAYER (Brazil)  
Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures Ms . Maria Araceli ALBARECE (Philippines) 
Technical Barriers to Trade Mr. Jingo KIKUKAWA (Japan) 
TRIMs Mr. Tsotetsi MAKONG (Lesotho) 
Anti-Dumping Practices Ms. Parima DAMRITHAMANIJ (Thailand) 
Subsidies and Countervailin g Measures Mr. Marcus BARTLEY JOHNS (Australia) 
Safeguards Mr. Alex Yun-hsing NI (Chinese Taipei) 
Import Licensing Mr. Xiankun LU (China) 
Rules of Origin Mr. Marhijn VISSER (Netherlands) 
Customs Valuation Mr. Pierre-Emmanuel BRUSSELMANS (Belgium) 
State Trading Enterprises Mr. Humberto JIMENEZ TORRES (Ecuador) 
Committee of Participants on the Expansion of Trade 
in Information Technology Products (ITA Committee) Mr. Aaron FOWLER (Canada) 
 
2.2.  At the same meeting, the Council agreed to proceed on the understanding that as concerns 
the Vice-Chairpersons, it would be for the subs idiary bodies to decide if they needed a 
Vice-Chairperson in cases where the option exis ted under the respective Agreement and/or rules 
of procedure, and for the respective Chairperson to hold the necessary consultations. 
3  MATTERS OF THE COMMITTEE ON MARKET ACCESS  
3.1.  At its meeting of 11 July, the Council cons idered and approved the draft decision on the 
"Derestriction of some GATT 1947 Historical Bilateral Negotiating Documentation" concerning the 
Dillon Round and some negotiating material of the earlier GATT Rounds contained in 
document G/MA/W/111/Rev.1, which was previous ly discussed and approved by the Committee on 
Market Access (CMA) on 7 May 2013. This Decisi on, once approved, was forwarded to the General 
Council for adoption.  
3.2.  At its meeting of 18 October, the Council considered three collective waiver requests on the 
introduction of Harmonized System 2002, 20 07 and 2012 changes into WTO Schedules of 
Concessions (See Point 4 below).  
Periodic Reports of the Committee on Market Access to the CTG 
3.3.  At its meeting of 18 October, the Council also took note of the information provided by the 
Chairperson on the decision adopted by the Committee on Market Access on 7 October 2013 that it 
would discontinue the periodic reports to the CTG. G/L/1057 
 
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  4  WAIVERS UNDER ARTICLE IX OF THE WTO AGREEMENT  
Introduction of Harmonized System 200 2 changes into WTO Schedules of Tariff 
Concessions: 
Collective request for a waiver extension (G/C/W/682) 
4.1.  At its meeting of 18 October, the Council considered a collective request for an extension of 
the waiver in connection with the introduc tion of HS2002 changes to the Schedules of 
Concessions. The Council approved the waiver request and recommended that the draft decision 
(G/C/W/682) be forwarded to the General Council for adoption. 
Introduction of Harmonized System 200 7 changes into WTO Schedules of Tariff 
Concessions: 
Collective request for a waiver extension (G/C/W/683) 
4.2.  At its meeting of 18 October, the Council considered a collective request for an extension of 
the waiver in connection with the introduction of HS 2007 changes to the Schedules of 
Concessions. The Council approved the waiver request and recommended that the draft decision 
(G/C/W/683) be forwarded to the General Council for adoption.  
Introduction of Harmonized System 201 2 changes into WTO Schedules of Tariff 
Concessions: 
Collective request for a waiver (G/C/W/684/Rev.1) 
4.3.  At its meeting of 18 October, the Council considered a collective request for a waiver in 
connection with the introduction of HS 2012 changes to the Schedules of Concessions.  
The Council approved the waiver request and recommended that the draft decision 
(G/C/W/684/Rev.1) be forwarded to the General Council for adoption. 
Philippines – Request for a Waiver relating to Special Treatment for Rice of the 
Philippines (G/C/W/665/Rev.1; and G/C/W/665/Rev.2): 
4.4.  At its meetings of 25 March and 11 July, the Philippines informed the Council on the further 
consultations and discussions it had held with interested delegations on this issue. The Council 
took note of the statements made on 25 March by Australia; Canada; China; El Salvador; India; 
Indonesia; and Thailand regarding their concerns, discussions and negotiations with the Philippines 
on this issue. At its meeting of 11 June, it also  took note of the statements made by Australia; 
Canada; China; Thailand; and the United States. The Council also agreed to revert to this issue. 
4.5.  At its meeting of 18 October, the Philippines introduced document G/C/W/665/Rev.3 
containing a revised waiver request and a revised draft waiver decision, where the annexes to the 
latter reflected the agreements that had been reached with some of the interested delegations. The Council took note of the statements made by Australia; Canada; China; India; Indonesia; 
Thailand; and the United States; and agreed to revert to this issue at its next meeting.  
European Union – Request for an Extension of the Waiver for the Application of 
Autonomous Preferential Treatm ent to Moldova (G/C/W/688): 
4.6.  At its meeting of 18 October, the Council considered document G/C/W/688 containing the 
waiver request and the draft waiver decision subm itted by the European Union for an extension of 
the Waiver for the Application of Autonomous Preferential Treatment to Moldova. The Council 
approved the waiver request and recommended that  the draft decision (G/C/W/688) be forwarded 
to the General Council for adoption. G/L/1057 
 
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  5  EUROPEAN UNION ENLARGEMENT: PROC EDURES UNDER ARTICLE XXVIII:3 OF GATT 
1994 (G/L/695/ADD.17;  G/L/821/ADD.12; G/L/821/ADD.13; AND G/SECRET/35) 
5.1.  At its meeting of 25 March, the Council agr eed to the extension of the deadlines set out in 
the communications from the European Un ion (G/L/695/Add.17 and G/L/821/Add.12).   
5.2.  At its meeting of 18 October, the Council  took note of the statements made by the 
European Union on its enlargements of 1 Janua ry 2007, and of 1 September 2013; and of the 
statements made by Guatemala; the Russian Fe deration; and the United States. The CTG also 
took note of the response by the European Union to the Russian Federation, and agreed to meet 
before the end of November 2013 to consider the requests announced by the European Union for extension of the time period for the withdrawal of  concessions for the European Union enlargements 
of 2007 and 2013.  
6  NOTIFICATION OF REGIONAL TRADE AGREEMENTS  
6.1.  At its meetings on 25 March, 11 July and 18 October,  the Council was informed of the 
following notifications on regional trade agreements:  
- Customs Union between the Russian Federation, Belarus and Kazakhstan 
(WT/REG325/N/1); 
- Free Trade Agreement between the Russian Federation and Serbia (WT/REG326/N/1); 
- Free Trade Agreement between the Russian Federation and Uzbekistan 
(WT/REG327/N/1); 
- Free Trade Agreement between the Ru ssian Federation and Turkmenistan 
(WT/REG328/N/1); 
- Free Trade Agreement between Chil e and Malaysia (WT/REG330/N/1); 
- Free Trade Agreement between Nicaragua and Panama (WT/REG331/N/1); - Association Agreement between the European Union and Central America 
(WT/REG332/N/1); 
- Trade Agreement between the European Union, Colombia and Peru 
(WT/REG333/N/1); 
- Free Trade agreement between Canada and Panama (WT/REG334/N/1); 
- Free Trade agreement between Canada and Jordan (WT/REG335/N/1); - Bilateral Protocol between Panama and Guatemala to the Free Trade Treaty between 
Central America and Panama (WT/REG336/N/1/Rev.1); 
- Enlargement of the European Union to 28 member States - Accession of Croatia 
(WT/REG337/N/1); 
- Free Trade Agreement between Ukraine and Montenegro (WT/REG338/N/1); 
- Free Trade Agreement between the Republic  of Korea and Turkey (WT/REG339/N/1); 
- Free Trade Agreement between Malaysia and Australia (WT/REG340/N/1); - Free Trade Agreement between Turkey  and Mauritius (WT/REG341/N/1); 
- Free Trade Agreement between Costa Rica and Peru (WT/REG342/N/1); 
- Treaty on a Free Trade Area between me mbers of the Commonwealth of Independent 
States (WT/REG343/N/1); 
- Bilateral Protocol between Chile and Nica ragua to the Free Trade Treaty between -
Central America and Chile (WT/REG344/N/1); 
- Free Trade agreement between Mexico and Uruguay (WT/REG345/N/1); and - Free Trade agreement between Costa Rica and Singapore (WT/REG347/N/1). 
7  NOTIFICATIONS 
- Status of notifications under the provisio ns of the Agreements in Annex 1A of the 
 WTO Agreement 
7.1.  At its meeting of 25 March, the Council took  note of the latest revision of the status of 
notifications contained in document G/L/223/Rev.20.   
7.2.  On the revised format to reduce the length of the current document (RD/CTG/1) as a means 
to find the right balance between transparency and the cost saving recommendations endorsed by 
the General Council in November 2011, the Council agreed to revert to this issue at its next G/L/1057 
 
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  meeting when Australia and Japan would have fu rther explored and discussed, with interested 
delegations, other possible options.  
7.3.  At its meeting of 11 July, under the agenda  item "Other Business", the Chairperson informed 
delegations that Australia and Japan had indicated that they continued to explore and discuss 
ideas, with a view to suggesting some pertinent changes to the notification form at the 
October 2013 meeting. The Council agreed to revert to this issue at its next meeting under Agenda Item "Other Business".  
7.4.  At its meeting of 18 October, under the agenda item "Other Business", the Council took note 
of the information provided by Australia and Japa n indicating that they had had joint discussions 
with the Divisions on Market Access and Agriculture to discuss how the agriculture notifications, which account for almost half of the existing document (G/L/223 and revisions) could be 
incorporated therein. The Council agreed to revert to this issue when appropriate. 
8  BRAZIL – INDIRECT TAXATION: CONDITIO NS TO OBTAIN TAX BENEFITS IN VARIOUS 
SECTORS – STATEMENTS BY THE EUROPEAN UNION AND JAPAN   
8.1.  At its meeting of 25 March and 11 July, the Council took note of the statements made by 
Australia; Canada; the European Union; Hong Kong, China; Japan; and the United States; and of 
the responses from Brazil on its tax system measures. 
8.2.  At its meeting of 18 October, the Council t ook note of the statements made by Australia; the 
European Union; Japan and the United States; and of the responses by Brazil. 
9  INDONESIA'S IMPORT RESTRICTING POLI CIES AND PRACTICES – REQUEST FROM THE 
EUROPEAN UNION AND THE UNITED STATES  
9.1.  At its meeting of 25 March, the Council took note of the statements made by Argentina; 
Australia; Canada; the European Union; Japan; Thailand; and the United States reiterating their 
continued concerns about Indonesia's import licensing requirements. The Council also took note of 
the responses by Indonesia.   
9.2.  At its meeting of 11 July, the Council took  note of the statements made by Australia; 
Canada; the European Union; Hong Kong, China; Japan; New Zealand; Thailand; the 
United States; and Uruguay on their continued concerns about Indonesia's new trade and 
investment measures, including import licensing procedures. It also took note of Indonesia's responses.  
9.3.  At its meeting of 18 October, the Council took note of the statements made by Australia; 
Canada; Japan; New Zealand; Thailand; the European Union; the United States; and Uruguay, and 
of the responses by Indonesia.  
10  UKRAINE – IMPORT TARIFFS ON AUTOMOBILES  
10.1.  At its meeting of 25 March, at the requ est of the delegation of the European Union, 
the Council considered this issue and took note of the statements made by the Canada; 
the European Union; Japan; Korea and the United States about the imposition of safeguards 
measures on imports of certain automobiles, and of the concerns regarding the fulfilment of the 
procedural requirements under the WTO Agreement on Safeguards. The Council also took note of 
the responses provided by Ukraine.   
10.2.  At its meeting of 11 July, at the request of  the delegation of Japan, the Council considered 
this issue and took note of the statements made by Australia; the European Union; Japan; Korea; 
the Russian Federation; and Turkey about addition al duties imposed by Ukraine on motor cars 
presented as a safeguard measure. The Council also took note of the responses and explanations 
by Ukraine.  
10.3.  At its meeting of 18 October, at the requ est of the delegations of the European Union and 
Japan, the Council considered this issue and took note of the statements made by Australia; 
Japan; Korea; Russian Federation; and the European Union, and of the responses by Ukraine.  G/L/1057 
 
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  11  UKRAINE'S ARTICLE XXVIII NOTIFICATION  
11.1.  At its meetings on 25 March, the Council considered this issue at the request of the 
delegations of ASEAN, Australia; Brazil; Canada; Chile; Colombia; Croatia; Egypt; the 
European Union; Guatemala; Hong Kong, China; Iceland; Japan; Korea; Mexico; New Zealand; 
Norway; Turkey; and the United States. The Council  took note of the statements made by the 
above-mentioned delegations, and of the statements made by China; Ecuador; El Salvador; and Uruguay. The Council also took note of the responses by Ukraine. 
11.2.  At its meeting of 11 July, the Council considered this issue at the request of the delegations 
of ASEAN; Australia; Canada; Chile; Egypt; the European Union; Guatemala; Hong Kong, China; 
Iceland; Israel; Japan; Korea; Mexico; New Zealand; Norway; Turkey; and the United States. The Council took note of the statements made by ASEAN; Australia; Canada; Chile; China; 
Colombia; El Salvador; the European Union; Guatemala; Hong Kong, China; Iceland; Israel; 
Japan; Korea; Mexico; New Zealand; Norway; Turkey; and the United States. The Council also took note of the responses by Ukraine.  
11.3.  At its meeting of 18 October, the Council considered this issue at the request of the 
delegations of ASEAN; Australia; Canada; Chile; the European Union; Guatemala; Hong Kong, 
China; Japan; Korea; Mexico; Norway; and the United States. The Council took note of the 
statements made by  ASEAN; Australia; Canada; Chile; China; El Salvador; the European Union; 
Iceland; Israel; Japan; Korea; Mexico; New Zealand; Norway; Switzerland; Turkey; and the United States. The Council also took note of the responses by Ukraine. 
12  UKRAINE'S COKING-COAL IMPORT QUOTA – REQUEST FROM THE EUROPEAN UNION 
AND THE UNITED STATES 
12.1.  At its meeting of 11 July, the Council took note of the statements made by Australia; the 
European Union; the Russian Federation; and the United States. It also took note of the responses 
by Ukraine.  
12.2.  At its meeting of 18 October, the Council  t o o k  n o t e  o f  t h e  s t a t e m e n t s  m a d e  b y  t h e  
Australia; the European Union; the Russian Federation; and the United States. It also took note of 
the response by Ukraine.   
13  RUSSIAN FEDERATION – IMPLEMENTATION OF WTO ACCESSION COMMITMENTS  13.1.  At its meeting of 25 March, at the request of the United States, the Council considered this 
issue and took note of the statements made by th e European Union; Japan; and the United States, 
and of the responses by the Russian Federation. 
13.2.  At its meeting of 11 July, at the request of the European Union; Japan; and the 
United States, the Council considered this issue and took note of the statements made by the 
above-mentioned delegations and by Chines e Taipei; and of the responses by the 
Russian Federation.  
13.3.  At its meeting of 18 October, at the re quest of the European Union; Japan; and the 
United States, the Council considered this issue and took note of the statements made by the 
European Union; Japan; the United States, and of the responses by the Russian Federation.  
14  JAPAN - WOOD USE POINTS PROGRAMME  14.1.  At its meeting of 11 June, the Council considered this issue at the request of the delegations 
of Canada and the European Union. The Council took note of the statements made by Canada; the 
European Union; Malaysia; New Zealand; and the United States, and of the responses by Japan. Canada circulated written questions to Japan in document G/C/W/681. 
14.2.  At its meeting of 18 October, the Council considered this issue at the request of the 
delegations of Canada; the European Union; and the United States. The Council took note of the statements made by Canada; the European Unio n; Indonesia; Malaysia; New Zealand; and the G/L/1057 
 
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  United States, and of the responses by Japan. The Council also took note of the written responses 
of Japan contained in document G/C/W/686.  
15  NIGERIA – LOCAL CONTENT MEASURES IN OIL AND GAS – REQUEST FROM THE 
EUROPEAN UNION AND THE UNITED STATES. 
15.1.  At its meeting of 11 July, the Council took note of the statements made by Australia; the 
European Union; and the United States, and of the responses by Nigeria.  
15.2.  At its meeting of 18 October, the Council took note of the statements made by Australia; 
the European Union; and the United States; and of the responses by Nigeria. 16  EUROPEAN UNION – THE EU RENEWABLE ENERGY DIRECTIVE – REQUEST FROM 
INDONESIA 
16.1.  At its meeting of 18 October, the Council t ook note of the statements made by Argentina; 
Indonesia; and Malaysia; and of the responses by the European Union. 
17  GABON – SCHEDULE XLVII: RENEGO TIATIONS UNDER GATT ARTICLE XXVIII:4 
(G/SECRET/36)   
17.1.  At its meeting of 18 October, the Council considered the request by Gabon to renegotiate, 
under paragraph 4 of Article XXVIII of the GATT 1994,  its Schedule of Concessions (XLVII) during 
a period of 120 days (see G/SECRET/36). The Council took note of the statement made by Gabon 
and by Australia; Canada; Central African Republic; China; the European Union; Japan; Korea; 
Mexico; Pakistan; Switzerland; and the United States. The Council authorized Gabon to begin its renegotiations with interested Members during a period of 180 days, counted as from 18 October 2013. 
18  UKRAINE – RECYCLING FEES ON CARS – REQUEST FROM THE EUROPEAN UNION AND 
JAPAN 
18.1.  At its meeting of 18 October, the Council  t o o k  n o t e  o f  t h e  s t a t e m e n t s  m a d e  b y  t h e  
European Union; Japan and the United States; and of the responses by Ukraine. 
19  RUSSIAN FEDERATION – MEASURES AFFECTING EU IMPORTS INTO RUSSIA – 
REQUEST FROM THE EUROPEAN UNION 
19.1.  At its meeting of 18 October, the Council  t o o k  n o t e  o f  t h e  s t a t e m e n t s  m a d e  b y  t h e  
European Union and the United States; and of  the responses by the Russian Federation. 
20  NIGERIA – RESTRICTION/BAN IMPOSED BY NIGERIA TO IMPORTS OF SEA 
PRODUCTS – REQUEST BY ICEL AND, NORWAY AND URUGUAY 
20.1.  At its meeting of 18 October, the Council took note of the statements made by Chile; 
Iceland; Norway; and Uruguay about the possible reduction of imports of sea products into 
Nigeria. It also took note of the statement made by Nigeria.  
21  WORK PROGRAMME ON  ELECTRONIC COMMERCE 
21.1.  At its meeting of 25 March, Members reiterated their support to the reinvigoration of the 
Work Programme, and welcomed the two worksh ops on "E-commerce, Development and Small 
and Medium Size Enterprises (SMEs)" and "Ser vices Related Issues for the Development of 
E-commerce", organized under the aegis of the Committee on Trade and Development and the Council for Trade in Servic es (CTS), respectively.  
21.2.  At its meeting of 11 July, the Council t ook note of the statements made by Cuba, the 
European Union and the United States concerning the outcome and positive results of these 
workshops. Statements also referred to the progre ss in the reinvigoration of the Work Programme 
and the need to renew the moratorium at the next  MC9.  The Chairperson also indicated that he G/L/1057 
 
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  would make, under his own responsibility, a report to the General Council at its meeting of 
24-25 July 20132. 
21.3.  At its meeting of 18 October, the Chairperson informed the Council that it had fulfilled its 
mandate, and that the factual report submitted by his predecessor, had been incorporated into the 
report to be submitted to the General Council, and the Ministerial Conference in Bali. It also took 
note of the statements made by Ecuador and the European Union.  
22  CONSIDERATION OF ANNUAL REPORTS OF  SUBSIDIARY BODIES  OF THE COUNCIL 
FOR TRADE IN GOODS  
22.1.  At its meeting of 18 October, the Council t ook note of the annual reports of its subsidiary 
bodies.3 
23  ADOPTION OF THE ANNUAL REPORT OF THE COUNCIL FOR TRADE IN GOODS TO THE 
GENERAL COUNCIL 
23.1.  At its meeting of 18 October, the Council adopted its Annual Report (2013) to the 
General Council. 
__________  
 
                                               
2 See document G/C/53. 
3 See documents G/L/1039 and G/L/1039/Rev.1; G/L/1042; G/L/1043; G/L/1044; G/L/1045; G/L/1046; 
G/L/1047; G/L/1048; G/L/1049; and G/L/1050. The reports from the Committees on Technical Barriers to 
Trade; Safeguards; Subsidies and Countervailing Meas ures; and Anti- Dumping Practices will be submitted 
directly to the General Council.