JOB/GC/149  
 
8 November 2017  
(17-6070) Page: 1/2 
 General Council  Original: English  
 
WORK PROGRAMME ON E LECTRONIC -COMMERCE  
COMMUNICATION FROM S INGAPORE  
The following communication, dated 7 November 2017, is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation of Singapore .  
_______________  
DRAFT MINISTERIAL DE CISION ON ELECTRONIC  COMMERCE  
The Ministerial Conference , 
 
Recalling the "Work P rogramme on Electronic Commerce"  adopted on 25 September 1998 and 
reaffirming subsequent Ministerial Declarations and Decisions on the Work Programme ; 
 
Welcoming  the renewed interest and work under the Work  Programme since our last Session, in 
the relevant WTO bodies and also in respect of trade -related i ssues of a cross -cutting nature;   
 
Reaffirming  the continued interest in continuing to examine opportunities and challenges in 
e-commerce, including the acc ess to electronic commerce by micro, small and medium sized 
enterprises, including small producers and suppliers; the identification of trade policies that would 
contribute to an enabling environment for e -commerce, including in the areas of trade facilita tion 
and facilitative regulatory measures; and the potential role of digital industrial policies to help 
bridge the digital divide, with special consideration of the situation in developing countries, 
particularly in least -developed country Members and lea st connected countries ; 
 
Decides:  
 
To continue with and invigorate the positive work under the Work Programme on Electronic 
Commerce since our last Session, based on its existing mandate and guidelines and on the basis of 
proposals submitted by Members in the respective WTO bodies.  
 
To enhance the method of work such that the Dedicated Discussion on Electronic Commerce shall, 
in accordance with Paragraph 1.2 of the Work Programme on Electronic Commerce, take up 
consideration of any trade -related issue of a  cross-cutting  nature on the basis of Members'  
proposals.  All aspects of the Work Programme concerning the imposition of customs duties on 
electronic transmissions shall be examined in the Dedicated Discussion.  The Dedicated Discussion 
shall be chaired by the General Council Chair or his/her appointed representative, and shall follow 
the rules of procedures for the General Council as contained in document WT/L/161.  
 
To reaffirm that the mandate for the other four relevant bodies under the Work Programme – the 
Council for Trade in Goods (CTG), Council for Trade in Services (CTS), Council for TRIPs (TRIPS 
Council) and Committee for Trade and Development (CTD) – and the respective issues to be 
examined in each relevant body, shall remain unchanged.   
 
To instruc t the General Council to hold periodic reviews in its sessions of July and December 2018 
and July 2019, based on the reports submitted by the CTG, CTS, TRIPS Council, CTD and the 
Dedicated Discussion, to assess its progress and consider any recommendations  on possible 
measures related to electronic commerce in the next session of the Ministerial Conference . JOB/GC/149  
 
- 2 - 
 
   
That Members will maintain the current practice of not imposing customs duties on electronic 
transmissions until our next Session in 2019.  
 
__________