WT/MIN(13)/ST/43  
5 December 2013  
(13-6689)  Page: 1/2  
Ministerial Conference 
Ninth Session 
Bali, 3-6 December 2013  Original: Spanish  
 
STATEMENT BY H.E. MRS DIANA SALAZAR 
VICE-MINISTER OF INTERNAT IONAL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS 
MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY 
PANAMA  
On behalf of the President of Panama, His Excellency Mr Ricardo Martinelli, and his Excellency 
Mr Ricardo Quijano, Minister of Commerce and Indu stry, I extend their greetings and thanks to our 
Indonesian hosts for their hospitality and for organizing this Ninth WTO Ministerial Conference 
in this beautiful city. 
Mr Director-General Azevêdo, we are aware that leading the WTO at this time is a major challenge 
and we acknowledge your efforts to give effective impetus to this Ministerial. 
At this moment in time, the eyes of the world are upon the WTO, with the expectation that we, 
its Members, may deliver a small part of what we promised our peoples at Doha 13 years ago. It is also an important moment for certain Members, such as my own country, which, despite the 
prolonged global financial crisis and the stagnation of the multilateral negotiations, is experiencing 
continued and unprecedented economic growth, but which recognizes the role played by 
the multilateral system in this dynamic trend and has faith in our combined capacity to improve the regulatory framework governing multilateral trade for the sake of enhancing the welfare 
of our citizens. 
Panama's dynamism is rooted to a large extent in economic activities pertaining to international 
services. The strength and probity of our banking and financial sector have enabled us to cope 
successfully with the financial crisis affecting the major markets. Panama will protect the 
integrity of this sector against actions and sanctions designed to undermine its success, on the pretext of defending fiscal, political and security interests, but which in reality are aimed 
at achieving a competitive advantage by means that violate the basic principles of the 
multilateral trading system. 
The synergies that Panama has developed through the promotion of its regional and bilateral 
relationships have boosted the dynamic growth of our international trade, as reflected 
in the conclusion in recent years of seven trade agreements which will strengthen trade relations 
with more than 30 countries; Panama has also taken a resolute step forward in the area of regional trade integration, as a result of our recent accession to the Central American Economic 
Integration Subsystem. 
One of our tasks today is to approve a package of texts as a down payment on the Development 
Round negotiations, and to communicate clearly and effectively the fact that this Organization 
and the multilateral system make an invaluable co ntribution to the economic and social security 
of our peoples on a day-to-day basis. 
We support the proposals under discussion in the Negotiating Group on Trade Facilitation. In this 
connection, with regard to the figure of the cust oms clearing agent, we are optimistic that this 
Conference will arrive at a point of convergenc e that satisfies all Members, particularly those 
of us who consider that the customs clearing agent plays a positive role in trade facilitation. WT/MIN(13)/ST/43 
- 2 - 
  We approve of all the efforts made by the G-33 to highlight our concerns about food security 
in the Doha process of agricultural reform. 
Panama welcomes the WTO's mo st recent Member, Yemen. 
We look forward to the decisions to be taken at this Conference on cases of non-violation under 
the TRIPs Agreement, and on electronic commerce. We also recall the decision taken in June 
to extend the period for the application by th e least-developed countries of their commitments 
under the TRIPs Agreement. 
We are confident that the Minist erial Conference will promote commitments enabling us to engage 
in an efficient post-Bali process to strengthen the multilateral trading system. 
Mr Chairman, we congratulate you on the organization of the Conference and look forward 
to engaging in a productive exercise that yields the desired results. 
 
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