RESTRICTED  
  
WT/PCTF/M/1  
 
5 February 2014  
(14-0657)  Page: 1/2  
Preparatory Committee on Trade Facilitation   
 
 MINUTES OF THE MEETING 
HELD IN THE CENTRE WILLIAM RAPPARD 31 JANUARY 2014 
Chairman: H.E. Mr. Shahid Bashir (Pakistan) for the first part of the meeting, followed by 
H.E. Mr. Esteban Conejos (Philippines) 
  
1.1.  The Chairman of the General Council welc omed delegations to the first meeting of the 
Preparatory Committee on Trade Facilitation.  
1.2.  He recalled that at Bali, in their Decision on the Agreement on Trade Facilitation (WT/L/911 – 
WT/MIN(13)/36), Ministers had concluded the nego tiations of the Agreement, subject to legal 
review for rectifications of a purely formal character that did not affect the substance of the 
Agreement.  
1.3.  They had also established a Preparatory Committee on Trade Facilitation under the General 
Council, open to all Members, to perform such fu nctions, as might be necessary to ensure the 
expeditious entry into force of the Agreement, and prepare for the efficient operation of the 
Agreement upon its entry into force. 
1.4.  Ministers had provided that, in particular, the Preparatory Committee would conduct the legal 
review of the Agreement in the manner decided by the Ministers; receive notifications of Category 
A commitments; and draw up a Protocol of Amen dment of the Marrakesh Agreement to insert the 
Trade Facilitation Agreement into Annex 1A of the WTO Agreement.  
1.5.  Ministers had also directed the General Council to meet no later than 31st July 2014 to carry 
out its function as mandated by them in their Decision.  
1.6.  The Chairman of the General Council recalle d that the proposed agenda for the first meeting 
of the Preparatory Committee on  Trade Facilit ation had been circulated in WTO/AIR/4239, and 
contained a single item, the Election of the Chairperson of the Preparatory Committee. 
1.7.  The agenda was adopted. 
1.8.  The Chairman of the General Council also recalled that in a fax circulated on 21 January 2014 
to all Members, he had reported that the consultations which he had conducted with the assistance of Ambassador Fried (Canada), Chairman of the Dispute Settlement Body, and Ambassador Matus (Chile), former Chairman of the General Council, on the Chairmanship of the Preparatory 
Committee on Trade Facilitation had shown consensus among Members on the appointment of 
Ambassador Esteban Conejos (Philippines) as Chairman of the Preparatory Committee.  He had further informed Members that, unless he heard otherwise by close of business on 23 January, he 
would convene this meeting of the Preparatory Committee to proceed with the formal appointment 
of the Chairperson. 
1.9.  He proposed that the Preparatory Committee on Trade Facilitation elect by acclamation H.E. 
Ambassador Esteban Conejos (Philippines) as the Chairman of this body.   WT/PCFT/M/1 
 
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  1.10.  H.E. Ambassador Esteban Conejos (Philippines) was so elected. 
1.11.  The Chairman of the Preparatory Committee on Trade Facilitation thanked delegations for 
their confidence in appointing him as Preparatory Committee Chair. He underlined his commitment to continuing the long-standing tradition of Trade Facilitation work taking place in a member-
driven, bottom up, inclusive and transparent way, an d welcomed delegations' ideas on how to best 
achieve the Committee's goals. He recalled the mandate of the Preparatory Committee and underlined the demanding deadline within which the mandate was to be completed. 
1.12.  He would be faithful to this mandate – both in letter and in spirit - and would do his utmost 
to ensure it was fully respected.  There was a lot of work ahead, and most likely a few challenges to face on the way, but together, Members could ma ke it happen. He really wanted this to be a 
joint undertaking. Delegations had always been in the driver's seat – and they would continue to 
be there under his chairmanship. 
1.13.  He informed delegations that he would be available on 5 February to meet with any 
delegation that so wished.  Based on the feedback  from these consultations, the Chairman of the 
Preparatory Committee would then inform Members of the next steps and communicate a 
schedule. 
1.14.  The Preparatory Committee took note of the statements made. 
1.15.  The meeting was adjourned.   
 
 
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