WT/MIN(17)/ST/59  
 
15 December 2017  
(17-6991) Page: 1/2 
Ministerial Conference  
Eleventh Session  
Buenos Aires, 10 -13 December 2017  Original: English  
 
 
STATEMENT BY H.E. MR. J. JAYASIRI  
SECRETARY GENERAL OF  THE MINISTRY OF IN TERNATIONAL TRADE AN D INDUSTRY  
MALAYSIA  
Multilateral Trading System  
 
Despite Malaysia’s participation in numerous bilateral and regional trading arrangements, Malaysia 
still believes in the primacy of the rules -based multilateral trading system. Our trade policy is 
reflective of the principles and rules enshrined in the WTO Agreements . We also ensure that all  our 
regional trade arrangements respect the principles and guidelines of the WTO.  
 
The WTO has effective rules that provide stability, security and predictability to conduct trade. 
However, recent display of protectionist sentiments and the introduction of impending non -tariff 
measures under the guise of unsustainable production can lead to restriction in trade. The WTO 
membership must be form in dealing with such challenges.  
 
Doha Development Agenda  
 
Despite of the delay in concluding the negotiations,  Malaysia remains committed to the Doha 
Round as the means of delivering multilateral trade liberalisation. Malaysia believes that 
pragmatic, realistic and flexible approaches are needed in order to achieve a positive outcome for 
all.   
 
The finalisation o f the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) in Bali 2013, the elimination of 
export subsidies in Agriculture in Nairobi 2015 and the entry into force of the Protocol Amending 
the TRIPs Agreement on Public Health in 2017 shows that the DDA is still doable.   
 
In Agriculture negotiations, Malaysia is willing to consider any potential approaches in domestic 
support so long as it could move the process forward and bridge divergences among Members.  
 
With regard to fisheries subsidies negotiations, Malaysia is w illing to support the initiative to 
strengthen multilateral disciplines on measures to address subsidies that contribute to 
overcapacity, overfishing and Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU) in line with the 
Sustainable Development Goal 14.6.  
 
On domestic regulation, Malaysia views this as an important aspect in the overall balance of the 
services negotiation. It is important that disciplines on domestic regulation are not onerous and 
burdensome to service suppliers and Members should have the  right to regulate.  
 
As a developing country, Malaysia supports the notion that the needs of developing countries and 
LDCs in particular, must be given proper attention in line with the overall agenda of the Doha 
Round. Therefore, development -related issue s should be part of the deliverables of MC11.  
While focusing on the DDA, we must not lose sight of global developments that can alter the 
traditional trade norms and the way business is conducted. This calls for a collective response in 
the WTO to make the  organisation relevant today.  
  
On e-commerce for instance, we cannot hold on to a mandate given 19 years ago. There has been 
so much development since then, and e -commerce is rapidly changing the mode of trade in many 
countries. We have to be realistic a nd eventually address the need for multilateral rules.  WT/MIN(17)/ST/59  
 
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  We also think that the time is ripe for the WTO to have a structured work programme to address 
MSMEs and investment facilitation.  
 
The WTO must support the integration of MSMEs into the global value chain considering the fact 
that MSMEs account for a very high percentage of enterprises in our economies.  
 
Taking on new issues in the WTO does not necessarily mean we are relegating the importance of 
concluding the DDA or diminishing the development dime nsion. It only means that the WTO is 
being realistic and responding to evolving global developments. In fact, by not addressing these 
issues, we are only marginalising a large number of the WTO membership as other arrangements 
will emerge outside the WTO. We believe there is sufficient space in the WTO to deal with the DDA 
and new/emerging issues.  
 
Finally let me end by expressing Malaysia’s hope that this 11th WTO Ministerial Conference in 
Buenos Aires will be able to produce some meaningful decisions tha t would set a clearer direction 
for the WTO negotiations in 2018 and beyond.  
 
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