WT/MIN(17)/37  
 
10 December 2017  
(17-6769) Page: 1/2 
Ministerial Conference  
Eleventh Session  
Buenos Aires, 10 -13 December 2017  Original: English  
 
RECOGNITION OF THE N EED FOR FLEXIBILITIE S FOR CARIBBEAN AND SMALL AND 
VULNERABLE ECONOMIES  RECOVERING FROM NATU RAL DISASTERS  
PROPOSAL BY ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA, DOMINIC A, GRENADA, ST. KITT S AND NEVIS,   
SAINT LUCIA AND ST. VINCENT AND THE GREN ADINES  
The following communication , dated 9 December  2017, is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation s of Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia and 
St. Vincent and the Grenadines . 
 
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INTRODUCTION  
Three Members of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States are grappling with the aftermath 
of the passage and devastation caused by two Category 5 hurricanes (Irma and Maria) that swept 
through the Caribbean region in the space of two weeks in September 2017 . The near total 
destruction to property, infrastructure, and the loss of lives recorded particularly in the islands of 
Barbuda and Dominica has highlighted the catastrophic impact that severe storms and hurricanes 
can wreak on small island developing stat es. 
 
There can be no doubt that these Countries will need to engage the flexibilities in the   
multilateral trading system as they undertake the gigantic task of economic reconstruction.  The 
economic impact of the hurricane in Dominica is measured at over 2 00% of GDP. But the true 
challenge will be felt for many years as the countries seek to rebuild their agriculture, 
manufacturing and services sectors.   
 
The ripple effects of the devastation on other OECS countries, which may not have been directly 
impacte d have also been substantial particularly for those which rely on fresh agricultural produce 
from the affected countries to meet the dietary needs of their population.  
 
OECS Member States believe that there is a role to be played by the multilateral trading system, 
more specifically the WTO to contribute to enabling the required reconstruction and rebuilding 
within the context of the rights and obligations; and rules and disciplines contained in the WTO 
Agreements.    
 
We strongly believe that specific attention and appropriate treatment ought to be given to those 
countries faced with those circumstances.  Especially when they are the smallest, weakest, and 
most vulnerable w hich need to rebuild infrastructure to resume sustainable economic growth and 
development following catastrophic natural disasters.    
 
THE PROPOSAL  
In that regard, the six WTO Members of the OECS propose that the following language be included 
in the text of the Ministerial Declaration or other Outcome Document issued by Ministers at the 
end of the 11th Ministerial Conference to be held in Buenos Aires, Argentina:  
 WT/MIN(17)/37  
 
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  "We note the destruction and loss of critical infrastructure and capacities at all levels cau sed 
during this year's unprecedented hurricane season, particularly to the Small Island 
Developing States and SVE’s of the Caribbean and acknowledge that reconstruction and 
recovery and redevelopment will take many years. During this time WTO rules and 
disciplines must not stand in the way of reconstruction and we agree that the full flexibility 
of the multilateral trading system should be deployed so that reconstruction measures taken 
by the affected Members will be considered compatible with the WTO Agree ments. " 
 
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