WT/MIN(15)/ST/115  
 
8 January 2016  
(16-0166)  Page: 1/3  
Ministerial Conference 
Tenth Session 
Nairobi, 15-18 December 2015  Original: English  
 
STATEMENT CIRCULATED BY HON. MUSTAPA MOHAMED 
MINISTER FOR INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND INDUSTRY 
MALAYSIA  
Multilateral Trading System and the WTO 
 
First of all, let me take this opportunity to express our highest appreciation to the host, the Government of Kenya for the warm welcome and excellent arrangements provided to the 
Malaysian delegation. We congratulate Kenya for being the first African country to host the WTO 
Ministerial Conference and we look forward to its success.  
This year marks the twentieth anniversary of the WTO. WTO as a rule-making body, has been 
successful in its role and function in global governance and in keeping protectionism at bay. This is a cause for celebration 
 
In this challenging period, when governments and businesses are facing tough times in adjusting their domestic strategies in responding to the cu rrent economic situation, it is important for WTO 
Members to continue to keep markets open  and carry out domestic reforms in their trade and 
investment regimes. 
 In this regard, Malaysia commends the WTO trade monitoring and surveillance work besides the 
trade policy review process in tracking and monitoring trade policies and measures implemented 
by Members.  
The importance of WTO in promoting economic growth and development is reflected in the number 
of newly acceded countries of the WTO. In this re gard, Malaysia welcomes the accession of Liberia 
and Afghanistan to the WTO. We are also pleased to note that Kazakhstan has also become a new 
WTO Member. 
 
Developing countries are expected to grow by 4.4 percent this year, with a likely rise to 5.2 per cent in 2016, and 5.4 per cent in 2017. However, developing countries are facing tough challenges 
in adjusting to low commodity prices and tighter financial conditions. 
 As a developing and trade dependent country, Malaysia believes that a conducive and facilitative 
environment for trade is vital in ensuring the economy attains sustainable growth. 
 Malaysia also believes an open, fair and equitable multilateral trading system is still the most relevant platform to expand trade. 
 
Despite the growing emergence of regional trade agreements (RTAs), the rules-based multilateral 
trading system is still relevant as it provides stability and predictability to the trading environment. 
It also provides a platform to discuss issues that could not be dealt with in bilateral or regional 
deals.  
It is our view that the WTO should be further st rengthened in keeping markets open over the long 
term and to provide a conducive environment for international trade.  WT/MIN(15)/ST/115 
 
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  The inability to reach consensus on major issues and conclude the Doha Round poses a tough 
challenge for the WTO and the multilateral trading system. This has certainly cast severe doubts among businesses and civil society on the credibil ity of the negotiating function of the WTO. 
 
As such, negotiators in Geneva should be given greater mandate and flexibility by their respective 
capitals to enable them move the outstanding issues forward.  
Doha Development Agenda 
 
Much has been said about the long-standing negoti ations of the Doha Development Agenda (DDA). 
Divergent views from Members particularly on majo r issues have protracted the conclusion of the 
negotiations. 
 We in Malaysia think that in the post Nairobi agenda it is timely to review the level of ambition. It 
has to be more realistic and doable. The needs of developing and less-developing members must 
be given proper attention without compromising the ambition of the broader Doha Round.   
Malaysia also welcomes any new approach that would contribute to the process and stands ready 
to help and contribute to the negotiations.   In this regard, it is our view that the key players especially the larger economies could assume a 
more constructive role in providing leadership and narrowing the gap in key areas of negotiations. 
 Greater political will and flexibility particularly by the major economies is vital if we want to see 
this through. 
 Members must continue the positive momentum achieved in Bali and work together to ensure that 
all the decisions can be implemented as soon as possible.  
 Among the decisions in Bali, the implementation of  the Trade Facilitation Agreement is the most 
achievable and should not be delayed further.  
 
The implementation of the Trade Facilitation Agreem ent is expected to bring significant impact to 
global trade and reduce global trade cost by up  to US$1.4 trillion. Malaysia is eager to see the 
Agreement takes off. 
 Malaysia ratified the Trade Facilitation Agreem ent in May 2015 and would like to encourage other 
members to do likewise soonest possible so that the Agreement can be fully implemented.  
 On other areas, Malaysia has just ratified the Protocol Amending the TRIPS Agreement on Public 
Health on 10 December 2015, upon entry into force, this will create better access to affordable 
medicines by the developing countries and LDCs. 
 Malaysia is also participating in the plurilateral expanded Information Technology Agreement 
(ITA2) negotiations. We are so close to solving outstanding issues and we hope for the Agreement 
to contribute to the success of this Conference.  
Malaysia recognises the importance of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to the 
performance of national economies, particularly in the developing countries. As such, in order to promote inclusive economic growth, Malaysia believes that the various councils and committees at the WTO should continue to discuss MSMEs related issues relevant to their respective areas of 
competence.  
 In relation to this, Malaysia would like to urge the General Council to consider the most 
appropriate institutional arrangement to facilitate  exchange of information and experience sharing 
relating to opportunities and challenges faced by MSMEs more extensively.  
Finally, Malaysia hopes that this Tenth WTO Ministerial Conference in Nairobi will be able to 
produce meaningful decisions that would set a clearer direction for the WTO negotiations in 2016.   WT/MIN(15)/ST/115 
 
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  With much creativity and pragmatism, I am optimistic that we will able to bring the Doha Round 
negotiations to a closure sooner rather than later. The WTO negotiation function should not be left drifting.  
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