WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  WT/REG215/2 
10 September 2008 
 (08-4248) 
Committee on Regional Trade Agreements  
  
 
  
 
FACTUAL PRESENTATION 
 
Free Trade Agreement 
Between 
Jordan and Singapore 
(Goods and Services) 
 
Report by the Secretariat 
 
 
 
 
This report, prepared for the consid eration of the Free Trade Agreement 
between Jordan and Singapore, has been drawn up by the WTO Secretariat on its own responsibility.  The report has been drawn up 
in accordance with the rules and pro cedures contained in the Decision for 
a Transparency Mechanism for Regi onal Trade Agreements (WT/L/671). 
 
 Any technical questions arising from this report may be addressed to 
Ms. Jo-Ann Crawford (tel: 022 739 5422). WT/REG215/2 
Page iii 
 
   
  TABLE OF CONTENTS 
  
Page 
  
I. TRADE ENVIRONMENT 1  
A. M
ERCHANDISE TRADE  1 
B. TRADE IN SERVICES AND FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT  4 
II. TREATY CHARACTER ISTIC ELEMENTS 7  
A. B ACKGROUND INFORMATION  7 
III. NATIONAL TREATMENT AND MARKET ACCESS FOR GOODS 8  
A. I MPORT DUTIES AND CHARGES , AND QUANTITATIVE RESTRICTIONS  8 
(a) General provisions 8 
(b) Liberalization of trade and tariff lines 9 
(c) Jordan's liberalization schedule 10 (d) Singapore's liberalization schedule 11 
B. R
ULES OF ORIGIN  12 
C. E XPORT DUTIES AND CHARGES , AND QUANTITATIVE RESTRICTIONS  13 
D. R EGULATORY PROVISIONS OF THE AGREEMENT  13 
1. Standards 13  
(a) Sanitary and phytosanitary measures 13 
(b) Technical barriers to trade 13 
2. Safeguard mechanisms 13  
(a) Global safeguards 13 
(b) Bilateral actions 14 
(c) Restrictions to safeguard the balance of payments 14 
3. Anti-dumping 14  
4. Subsidies and Countervailing Measures 15  
5. Other regulations 15  
(a) Customs-related procedures 15 
IV. PROVISIONS ON TRADE IN SERVICES AND INVESTMENT 15  
A. S COPE AND DEFINITIONS  15 
B. M ARKET ACCESS  16 
C. M OST FAVOURED NATION PRINCIPLE , NATIONAL TREATMENT  16 
D. M OVEMENT OF NATURAL PERSONS  16 
E. R ECOGNITION  17 
F. D OMESTIC REGULATION  17 
G. D ENIAL OF BENEFITS  17 
H. L IBERALIZATION COMMITMENTS  17 
1. Jordan 18  
(a) Horizontal commitments 18 
(b) Sector specific commitments 18 
2. Singapore 18  
(a) Horizontal commitments 18 
(b) Sector specific commitments 18 
I. R ESTRICTIONS TO SAFEGUARD THE BALANCE OF PAYMENTS  19 
 
 WT/REG215/2 
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  V. PROVISIONS AFFECTING TRADE IN GOODS, SERVICES AND INVESTMENT 19  
A. E-C OMMERCE  19 
B. I NTELLECTUAL PROPERTY  19 
C. G OVERNMENT PROCUREMENT  20 
D. S ECTOR -SPECIFIC PROVISIONS OF THE AGREEMENT  20 
E. I NSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS OF THE AGREEMENT  20 
1. Exceptions and reservations 20  
2. Accession 20  
3. Institutional framework 20  
4. Dispute settlement 20  
5. Relationship with other agreements concluded by the Parties 21  
ANNEX  23 
 
 
 WT/REG215/2 
Page 1 
 
   
  JORDAN-SINGAPORE FREE TRADE AGREEMENT 
 
Factual Presentation by the Secretariat  
  
I. TRADE ENVIRONMENT 
1. The Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Jordan  and Singapore (hereafter "the Agreement") 
is Singapore's first bilateral FTA with a country in the Middle East and Jordan's first with an Asian 
country.  The countries are similar in terms of popul ation size and in economic structure.  In 2006, 
manufactures accounted for 78.8% of Singapore' s merchandise exports, while for Jordan the 
corresponding figure was 69.5%.
1   
2. Jordan's GDP was US$14.2 billion in 2006, while that of Singapore 
reached US$132.2 billion.2  With total merchandise exports of US$271.8 billion and imports of 
US$238.7 billion, Singapore ranked in 2006 as the 14th top exporter and the 15th top importer;  with 
merchandise exports of US$5.2 billion and imports of US$11.4 b illion, Jordan ranked as the 94th top 
exporter and the 77th top importer in that year.  The two economies showed quite different average 
trade/GDP ratios in 2004-2006 with Jo rdan's ratio 140 and Singapore's 454. 
A. MERCHANDISE TRADE  
3. Developments in recent years in global and in tra-Party merchandise trade are presented in 
Charts I.1 and I.2.  Over the period surveyed (1 998-2006), Jordan has run an almost constant trade 
deficit with Singapore.   
0123456789101112
1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 20060.02.55.07.510.012.515.017.520.022.525.027.530.0US$billion US$millionChart I.1 - Jordan: Merchandise imports from and exports to world 
and Singapore, 1998-2006
Source: UNSD, Comtrade database.Imports from Singapore
Exports to SingaporeTotal imports
Total exportsLeft hand scale: Right hand scale:
 
 
                                                      
1 WTO Statistics Database, Trade Profiles. 
 2 WTO Statistics Database, Trade Profiles. WT/REG215/2 
Page 2  
 
  0255075100125150175200225250275300
1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006051015202530354045505560US$billion US$millionChart I.2 - Singapore:  Merchandise imports from and exports to 
world and Jordan, 1998-2006
Source: UNSD, Comtrade database.Imports from Jordan
Exports to JordanTotal imports
Total exportsLeft hand scale: Right hand scale:
 
 
4. The Parties' current bilateral merchandise trade is modest.  On the basis of 2006 data from the 
United Nations' Comtrade database, Singapore is Jordan's 48th largest trading partner in terms of 
imports, accounting for 0.2% of Jordan's imports, and ranks 81st for Jordan's exports (0.01% of 
Jordan's exports).  Jordan is Singapore's 95th largest trading partner in te rms of imports, accounting for 
less than 0.01% of Singapore's imports, and its 92nd for exports, accounting for 0.02% of Singapore's 
exports. 
5. The commodity structure of trade between the Par ties, as well as of their imports and exports 
to the world in the period 2002-04, is shown in Chart I.3, on the basis of HS section product categories. 
6. Three product categories – machinery, articles of  wood, and chemicals - accounted for 64.8% 
of Jordan's imports from Singapore in  the peri od 2002-2004;  plastics and textiles accounted for a 
further 13.7%.  Singapore's three largest export product categories - machinery, chemicals, and 
minerals - made up 79.1% of its total exports in 2002-2004 and accounted for 59.9% of Jordan's 
imports from Singapore. 
7. A single product category – minerals - accounted  for 82.8% of Singapore's imports from 
Jordan in the period 2002-2004.  Jordan's three larg est export product categorie s – chemicals, textiles, 
and machinery - made up 57% of its total exports  in the period 2002-2004 and accounted for 10.2%  
of Singapore's imports from Jordan. 
 
   WT/REG215/2 
 Page 3 
 
 
  Chart I.3
Jordan and Singapore: product composition of merchandise trade, annual 
average (2002-04)
Jordan's imports from Singapore Singapore's imports from Jordan
 Source:  UNSD, Comtrade database.Per cent
Total:  US$9.9 million Total:  US$12.7 million
Total:  US$6.3 billion Total: US$142.1 billion
Total:  US$3.2 billion Total:  US$161.3 billionJordan's global exports Singapore's global exportsJordan's global imports Singapore's global importsOthe r
6.4
Machinery  
35.9Othe r 
7.0
Pr e par ed  foo ds 5.3Base metals 1.7
Other 
9.2
Ma ch iner y
54.1 Chemicals 
5.5Plast ics 2.3Other
8.9
Minerals
17.9
Ma chinery
13.6
Vehicles 9 .7 Chemicals 
8.0Textiles 10.0Base metals 4.1Pla stics 4.2
Vehicles 4.9
Other  
7.5Othe r 
9.8
Vehicles 4 .0Chemic als 25.6
Base m etals 3.4
Prepared foods  3 .7Base metals 2.5
Min e ra ls
9.0Machin er y 
60. 8Vehicles  2.0
Chemicals 
 9.3Chemicals 13.3
Minerals 
14 . 1Optic al  3.8
Base metals 
7.3
Optic al 3.2Articles of wood 1
15.6Base m etals 2.4M iscellan eous 2.2
Chemicals 8.5
Min e ra ls  
82 . 8
Textiles 24.0
Ma ch iner y 
7.4Minerals 6.6Plastics 3.2Textiles 4.8Vehicles 3.9
Veg etables 6.5An imals 3 .5Pu lp of wo od 2.6
Pearls 7.0Fats and oils 3.2Animals 2.1
Veg etables 5.4Plastics 8.9Pu lp of wo od 4.0Optic al  2.8
Fats and oils 2.1Textiles 10.0
 
 WT/REG215/2 
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  B. 
TRADE IN SERVICES AND FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT  
8. In 2006, Jordan ranked 75th worldwide in terms of world exports of commercial services and 
72nd in terms of world imports.3  Its commercial services exports amounted to US$2.4 billion, 
representing 0.09% of world exports, while imports  amounted to US$2.6 billion and represented 0.1% 
of world imports.  Services exports represent 31.6% of Jordan's total exports and services imports for 
18.4% of its total imports.   
9. In 2006, Singapore ranked 16th in terms of world exports of commercial services and 14th in 
terms of world imports.4  Its commercial services exports amount ed to US$57.3 billion, representing 
2.08% of world exports, while imports amounted to US$60.8 billion and represented 2.29% of world 
imports.  Services exports represent 17.4% of Si ngapore's total exports and services imports for 
20.3% of its total imports.   
10. Chart I.4 shows the evolution of Jordan's co mmercial services exports and imports for the 
period 2000-2006.  Jordan has run a small, but consis tent trade deficit in commercial services over the 
period surveyed. 
11. Travel and transportation services are the most important categories, accounting in 2006 for 
over 87% of total exports;  travel ser vices represent by far the largest sh are, with 66% of total exports.  
Transportation and travel services accounted for a growing share of total imports in the period 
2000-2006, with imports of other business services re maining fairly constant and insurance services 
on the increase. 
 
 
                                                      
 3 WTO Statistics Database, Trade Profiles. 
 4 WTO Statistics Database, Trade Profiles.  WT/REG215/2 
 Page 5 
 
 
  0.00.51.01.52.02.53.0
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 20060.00.51.01.52.02.53.0
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006Chart I.4
Jordan, total commercial services trade, 2000-06
Exports Imports
Transportation services
Travel services
Source: IMF, BOP CD-Rom.US$ billion
Other business servicesGovernment servicesUS$ billion
 Insurance services
 
 
12. Chart I.5 shows the evolution of Singapore's co mmercial services exports  and imports for the 
period 2000-2006.  Singapore has run a small trade deficit in commercial services over the period 
surveyed. 
13. The composition of exports has remained fairly  stable during this period.  Transportation 
services and other business services are the most important export categories, accounting in 2006 for 
over 70% of total exports;  royalties and travel services account for a growing share of services 
exports over the period surveyed.  Transportati on services, other business services, royalties and 
travel services accounted for the largest shares of total imports. 
14. Singapore's bilateral services trade with Jord an over the period 2002-2006 is shown in 
Table I.1.  Other business services account for the lion's share of Singapore's exports of services to Jordan in the period surveyed.  In terms of impor ts, transport services account for the largest category 
in 2005.  Singapore's imports of services from Jo rdan increased by more than 300 per cent from 2004 
to 2005. 
 
 WT/REG215/2 
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  05101520253035404550556065
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 200605101520253035404550556065
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006Chart I.5
Singapore, total commercial  services trade, 2000-06
Exports Imports
Transportation services
Travel services
Source: IMF, BOP CD-Rom.Communications servicesUS$ billion
Construction servicesFinancial services
Computer and information services
Royalties and license Other business services
Personal and cultural services
Government servicesUS$ billion
 Insurance services
 
 
Table I.1 
Singapore's Services Trade with Jordan, 2002-2006 (S$ millions) 
Category Transport Travel Insurance Financial 
Services Computer 
Services Royalties Other 
Business 
Services Government 
Services Total 
Exports          
2002 (s) .. - - - (s) 3.8 ..  4.2 
2006 (s) ..  - - - (s) 7.2 ..  7.5 
2004 (s) ..  - 0.1 - (s) 11.2 ..  11.4 
2005 (s) ..  - 0.1 - (s) 8.5 ..  15.8 
2006 (s) ..  - 0.2 - (s) 5.6 .. 12.4 
Imports          
2002 (s) ..  (s) - - - 0.2 ..  0.7 
2006 (s) ..  (s) - (s) - 1.2 ..  4.4 
2004 1.6 ..  (s) - (s) - 1.9 ..  4.2 
2005 13.4 ..  (s) (s) (s) - 1.8 ..  17.4 
2006 15.1 .. (s) (s) (s) - 1.2 .. 17.6 
(s): suppressed to avoid disclosure of data of individual companies 
-:  nil or negligible data 
..: not available 
Source: Singapore Department of Statistics 
 
15. Singapore's global investment position is depicted in Chart I.6.  Singapore's inward stock of 
foreign direct investment increased 44% over the period 2001-2005, while its stock of outward 
foreign direct investment increased by 39% over the same period.  In 2007, Jordan registered a global 
inward flow of FDI which amounted to US$3.13 billion.   WT/REG215/2 
 Page 7 
 
 
  050100150200250300350
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005050100150200250300350
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005Chart I.6 
Singapore inward and outw ard foreign investment stock from world, 2001-05
Inward Outward
Foreign portfolio investment Foreign direct investment
Source: Singapore Government Statistics.US$ billion
 
 
II. TREATY CHARACTERISTIC ELEMENTS 
A. BACKGROUND INFORMATION  
16. The Free Trade Agreement between Jordan and Singapore was signed by the Hashemite 
Kingdom of Jordan and the Republic of Singapore (the  Parties) on 16 May 2004;  it entered into force 
on 22 August 2005.  On 7 July 2006, the Parties notified the Agreement to the WTO under Article XXIV:7(a) of the GATT 1994 and Article  V:7(a) of the GATS (WT/REG215/N/1 and 
S/C/N/370).  The text of the Agreement is available t ogether with its Annexes, on the Parties' official 
websites.
5   
17. The Agreement is composed of eight Chapters  and related annexes.  A side letter on an 
understanding reached between the Parties on criti cal communications infrastructure is also an 
integral part of the Agreement (Table II.1).  Th e commitments undertaken in the area of trade in 
goods have applied fully since the entry into force of  the Agreement.  Liberalization of trade in goods 
is principally contained in Chap ters 2-3.  Trade in services is defined to include GATS modes of 
supply 1- 4;  its liberalization is governed by Ch apter 4 on Trade in Services.  The Agreement also 
contains provisions relating to electronic co mmerce, business cooperation and dispute settlement 
provisions.  
                                                      
5 http://www.mit.gov.jo  (Jordan), and http://www.fta.gov.sg  (Singapore). WT/REG215/2 
Page 8  
 
  Table II.1 
Chapters, annexes and side letters of the Agreement 
Chapters and Annexes Title/Description 
Preamble  
Chapter 1  Establishment of a Free Trade Area  
Chapter 2  Trade in Goods 
Annex 2A  Tariff Elimination  
Chapter 3 Rules of Origin 
Annex 3A     Minimum Data Requirements for Certificate of Origin  
Chapter 4  Trade in Services 
Annex 4A  Jordan's Schedule of Specific Commitments 
Annex 4B Singapore's Schedul e of Specific Commitments 
Chapter 5 Electronic Commerce 
Chapter 6 Business Cooperation 
Chapter 7 Dispute Settlement 
Annex 7A Arbitral Tribunals 
Chapter 8 General Provisions  
Side Letter Understanding on critical  communications infrastructure 
Source:  Free Trade Agreement between Jordan and Singapore. 
18. As regards trade in goods, no overall implemen tation period is explicitly stated in the 
Agreement.  However, Jordan's schedule of c oncessions for merchandise trade foresees a transition 
period of up to 10 years for some products.   
III. NATIONAL TREATMENT AND MARKET ACCESS FOR GOODS 
A. IMPORT DUTIES AND CHARGES , AND QUANTITATIVE RESTRICTIONS  
(a) General provisions 
19. Each Party accords national treatment to the goods of the other Party in accordance with 
Article III of the GATT 1994 (Article 2.1 of the Agreement). 
20. The Parties may not increase existing, or in troduce new, customs duties on imports of an 
originating good (Article 2.2:2).  Article 2.2:1 provides, in the c ase of Jordan, for the progressive 
reduction/elimination of customs duties in accordan ce with various stages listed in Annex 2A on the 
basis of a positive list.  This Annex lists the base ra te and the staging categories that apply to tariff 
reduction or elimination.6  Duties on Jordan's imports from Singa pore not fully liberalized at entry 
into force are to be reduced or eliminated accord ing to different timetables, either through their 
progressive reduction in equal stages beginning the y ear of entry into force or after a period of 
five years in which duties are kept constant.  With th e exception of the year of entry into force, tariff 
reductions take place on 1 January of each year.  In the case of Singapore, duties on all products are 
eliminated as of the date of entr y into force of the Agreement.  
21. Upon request by either Party, the Parties will c onsult to consider accelerating the elimination 
of customs duties or incorporating goods that are not subject to the elimination schedule (Article 2.2:3).
7 
                                                      
 6 For Jordan, the base rate is the MFN rate appli cable on the date of signature of the Agreement, 
i.e. August 2005.  
7 According to the Parties, as of August 2008 this has not yet taken place.  WT/REG215/2 
 Page 9 
 
 
  22. As regards non-tariff measures, the Parties may not adopt or maintain any non-tariff measures 
on the importation of any good from the other Party,  except in accordance wi th the Agreement and 
with their WTO rights and obligations (Article 2.5).   
(b) Liberalization of trade and tariff lines8 
23. The elimination of tariffs applicable between  the Parties is detailed in the corresponding 
Parties' schedules.  Tariff elimination started in A ugust 2005, from the base rates applied in May  004. 
24. The overall tariff elimination under the Agreem ent is depicted in Tables III.1A and III.1B 
below. In the case of Jordan, 46.8% of total ta riff lines were already duty-free on an MFN basis in 
2005.9  A further 1.2% of tariff lines became duty-free for imports from Singapore in 2005;  in terms 
of imports from Singapore for the period 2002- 2004, these figures amount to 58.2% and 5.6%, 
respectively.  In 2009, a further 0.6% of tariff lines accounting for 0.5% of imports from Singapore 
for the period 2002-2004 will be liberalized.  By th e end of the transition period in 2014, a further 
49% of tariff lines are to be liberalized, accounting for 35.6% in terms of imports from Singapore for the period 2002-2004.  Thus, a total of 97.6% of tariff lines are liberalized under the Agreement, corresponding to 99.9% in terms of import values from Singapore for the period 2002-2004. 
Table III.1A 
Tariff elimination commitments under the Agreement  and corresponding average trade values for 2003-05 
A:  Jordan 
Duty phase-out 
period Number of lines % of total lines in 
Jordan's tariff 
schedule Value of Jordan's imports 
from Singapore (2002-2004) 
in million US$ % of total Jordan's 
imports from 
Singapore 2002-2004 
MFN duty free (2005) 2,996 46.8 5.6 58.2 
2005 75 1.2 0.5 5.6 
2009 41 0.6 0.0 0.5 
2014 3,141 49.0 3.5 35.6 
Remain dutiable 153 2.4 0.0 0.1 
Total 6,406 100.0 9.7 100.0 
 
Sources : WTO Secretariat based on data pr ovided by Jordan and the WTO-IDB. 
 
25. In the case of Singapore, 99.9% of tariff lines were already duty-free on an MFN basis in 
2005.10  All remaining tariff lines were liberalized as of the entry into force of the Agreement, 
resulting in a liberalization of 100 % of trade and tariff lines. 
 
 
 
    
                                                     
 
 8 Unless otherwise specified, all statistics, tables and charts contained in this document have been 
prepared on the basis of data  provided by the Parties. 
9 Jordan's tariff is composed of 6,406 tariff lines at the HS 9-digit level, of which 6,396 are ad valorem  
and ten are subject to compound rates.  For compound rates, only the ad valorem  part is taken into consideration 
in the tariff averages. 
10 Singapore's tariff is composed of 10,688 tariff lines at the HS 8-digit level.  Only six lines are subject 
to duty, all of which are specific. WT/REG215/2 
Page 10  
 
  Table III.1B 
Tariff elimination commitments under the Agreement  and corresponding average trade values for 2003-05 
B:  Singapore 
Duty phase-out period Number of lines % of total lines in 
Singapore's tariff 
schedule Value of Singapore's 
imports from Jordan  
(2002-2004) 
in million US$ % of  
Singapore's total 
imports from Jordan 
2002-2004 
MFN duty free (2005) 10,682 99.9 21.5 100.0 
2005 6 0.1 0.0 0.0 
Total 10,688 100.0 21.5 100.0 
Source:  WTO Secretariat estimates, base d on data provided by Singapore. 
 
(c) Jordan's liberalization schedule 
26. The base rates used by Jordan for implemen ting its tariff liberalization scheme already 
provided for 46.8% of tariff lines being duty free before the entry into force of the Agreement.  As can 
be seen from Chart III.1, most of the additional 1.2%  of tariff lines freed upon entry into force held 
base rates of 10% or less.  Elimination of duties on a small number of tariff lines takes place in 2009.  
The bulk of lines subject to tariffs of 20% or more are liberalized in 2014.  
0 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000 5,000 6,000 7,0002005200620072008200920102011201220132014Chart III.1
Jordan's duty elimination under the Agreement
Year of duty free treatment   
Source: WTO Secretariat estimates, based on data provided by Jordan.Number of duty-free lines (cumulative)
Duty-free <10% <20% <30% MFN is: <40% >50%
 
 
27. Table III.2 shows Jordan's trade liberalization commitments under the Agreement on the basis 
of products' treatment at the HS 8-digit level orga nized by HS section product categories.  Of the 
6,409 tariff lines forming Jordan's tariff schedule, 2,996 tariff lines were already duty-free on an MFN 
basis;  an additional 75 tariff lines were liberalized  upon entry into force of the Agreement (all but 
two of which fall in HS Chapters 25-97).  In 201 4, an additional 3,141 ta riff lines covering all HS  WT/REG215/2 
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  Sections are subject to liberalization;  the 153 lin es which remain subject to duties are a mixture of 
industrial and agricultural products. 
Table III.2 
Jordan: Tariff elimination under the Agreement, by HS section 
Number  of duty-free lines  
HS section and description  MFN 
average
% Total No 
of lines MFN 
duty-
free 2005 2009 2014  Remain 
dutiable  
I Live animals and animal products 15.7 243 16  1 226  
II Vegetable products 17.4 323 71  3 171 78 
III Animal or vegetable fats and oils 11.9 72 40  1 29 2 
IV Prepared food etc. 29.1 255 70 2 7 153 23 
V Minerals 9.5 167 94   73  
VI Chemicals and chemical products 2.4 924 674 15 12 223  
VII Plastics and rubber 7.2 303 162 4  137  
VIII Hides and skins 16.4 74 18 3  53  
IX Wood and articles 10.9 114 56 7  51  
X Pulp, paper etc. 13.5 235 96 3  136  
XI Textiles and textiles articles 10.6 886 483 10  393  
XII Footwear, headgear 26.9 56 5   51  
XIII Articles of stone 18.9 174 38 2  134  
XIV Precious stones, etc. 16.2 59 1   58  
XV Base metals and base meta ls products 12.2 748 309 20 4 415  
XVI Machinery 9.5 1,079 654 2 9 414  
XVII Transport equipment 13.0 201 71 5  75 50 
XVIII Precision equipment 14.0 313 117 2 4 190  
XIX Arms and ammunition 26.0 25    25  
XX Misc. manufactured articles 25.0 147 21   126  
XXI Works of art, etc. 27.5 8    8  
Total 11.8 6,406 2,996 75 41 3,141 153 
 
Source :  WTO estimates based on data provi ded by Jordan and the WTO-IDB  
(d) Singapore's liberalization schedule 
28. At entry into force of the Agreement, all but  six of Singapore's tariff lines were duty-free on 
an MFN basis.  Duties on these six lines were eliminat ed as of the date of entry into force of the 
Agreement. 
29. Table III.3 shows Singapore's trade liberaliza tion commitments under the Agreement on the 
basis of products' treatment at the HS 8-digit leve l organized by HS section product categories.  The 
six lines subject to duty on an MFN basis fall in Section IV, prepared food.  
Table III.3 
Singapore: Tariff elimination un der the Agreement, by HS section 
HS section and description MFN 
average
% Total No of lines MFN 2005 Number of Duty-free 
lines in 2005 
I Live animals and animal products 0.0 338 338  
II Vegetable products 0.0 388 388  
III Animal or vegetable fats and oils 0.0 151 151  
IV Prepared food etc. 0.0 417 411 6 
V Minerals 0.0 212 212  
VI Chemicals and chemical products 0.0 1,287 1,287  
VII Plastics and rubber 0.0 588 588  
VIII Hides and skins 0.0 112 112  
IX Wood and articles 0.0 253 253  
X Pulp, paper etc. 0.0 271 271  
XI Textiles and textiles articles 0.0 1,185 1,185  
XII Footwear, headgear 0.0 74 74  
XIII Articles of stone 0.0 221 221  
XIV Precious stones, etc. 0.0 77 77  
XV Base metals and base meta ls products 0.0 1,161 1,161  
XVI Machinery 0.0 2,202 2,202  
XVII Transport equipment 0.0 1,026 1,026  WT/REG215/2 
Page 12  
 
  HS section and description MFN 
average
% Total No of lines MFN 2005 Number of Duty-free 
lines in 2005 
XVIII Precision equipment 0.0 398 398  
XIX Arms and ammunition 0.0 28 28  
XX Misc. manufactured articles 0.0 287 287  
XXI Works of art, etc. 0.0 12 12  
Total 0.0 10,688 10,682 6 
 
Source :  WTO estimates based on data provi ded by Singapore and the WTO-IDB. 
 
B. RULES OF ORIGIN  
30. Disciplines regarding rules of origin are set out in Chapter 3 of the Agreement.  Article 3.1 
defines the terms used and Articles 3.2-3.12 provid e the substantive rules.  The procedures designed 
to administer and enforce the rules of or igin are set out in Article 3.13-3.20.   
31. A good is considered as originating when (Article 3.2): 
(a) it is wholly obtained or produced in the territory of the Parties;11  or 
(b) it fulfils a minimum local value content of 35% determined in accordance with 
Article 3.2(c);  or 
(c) in the case of textile and apparel goods, it satisfies the specific requirements laid 
down in Article 3.3 of the Agreement. 
32. Article 3.3 specifies, as a general rule, that a textile or apparel good is considered as 
originating when: 
(a) it is wholly obtained or produced in a Party;  or 
(b) it is a yarn, thread, twine, cordage, rope, cable, or braiding;  and 
(i) the constituent staple fibres are spun in that Party;  or 
(ii) the continuous filament is extruded in that Party; 
(c) it is a fabric, including a fabric classi fied under Chapter 59 of the Harmonized 
System, and the constituent fibres, filaments,  or yarns are woven, knitted, needled, 
tufted, felted, entangled, or transformed by  any other fabric-making process in that 
Party;  or 
(d) it is any other textile or apparel product that  is wholly assembled in that Party from its 
component pieces. 
                                                      
 11 "Wholly obtained" applies to goods obtained in th e territory of one or both of the Parties that are 
mineral goods, extracted there;  vegetable goods as defined in the Harmonized System, harvested there;  live 
animals born and raised there;  goods obtained from hunting, trapping, fishing, or aquaculture conducted there;  
goods (fish, shellfish, and other marine life) taken from the sea by vessels registered or recorded with a Party and flying its flag;  goods produced exclusively on board factory ships registered or recorded with a Party and 
flying its flag;  goods taken by a Party, or a person of a Party, from the seabed or beneath the seabed outside 
territorial waters, provided that the Party has rights to exploit such seabed;  or waste and scrap derived from 
production there, or used goods collected there, provided that such goods are fit only for the recovery of raw 
materials.   WT/REG215/2 
 Page 13 
 
 
  33. Exceptions to the general rule applying to  textiles are laid out in Article 3.3.2. 
34. Bilateral cumulation is allowed under the Ag reement (Article 3.6) i.e., cumulation of 
materials between the Parties.  Article 3.6:3 prov ides for the Parties to explore the application of 
diagonal cumulation between the Par ties and third parties, should there be an FTA between each of 
the Parties and the third party in question.12 
35. Article 3.5 of the Agreement provides a list of minimal, non-qualifying operations carried out 
in the territory of the Parties which do not confer or igin.   Article 3.12 restricts outward processing to 
those operations necessary to preserve the goods or to  transport them to the territory of the other 
Party.  Additional rules in Articles 3.7-3.11 clarify how certain materials (accessories, spare parts or 
tools; fungible goods and materials;  packaging materials and containers for retail sale; packing 
materials and containers for shipment, and indir ect materials) are to be treated/valued when 
determining the origin of goods. 
Box III.1:  Rules of Origin:  Basic Features at a Glance 
• A single rule of origin methodology – minimum local value content of 35% - applies. 
• Textile and apparel goods are subject to a technical  test with exceptions for certain subheadings. 
• Bilateral cumulation. 
• No tolerance rule.    
• Outward-processing not authorized. 
• Transit through third parties authorized only under certain conditions. 
Source:  WTO Secretariat 
C. EXPORT DUTIES AND CHARGES , AND QUANTITATIVE RESTRICTIONS  
36. There is no provision in the Agreement govern ing the elimination of export duties and 
charges.  The Parties are not allowed to adopt or maintain any non-tariff measure on the export of any 
good of the other Party, except in accordance with their WTO rights and obligations (Article 2.5).   
D. REGULATORY PROVISIONS OF THE AGREEMENT  
1. Standards 
(a) Sanitary and phytosanitary measures 
37. There are no provisions in the Agreement c overing sanitary and phytosanitary measures. 
(b) Technical barriers to trade 
38. There are no provisions in the Agreement gove rning technical barriers to trade.   
2. Safeguard mechanisms   
(a) Global safeguards 
39. With respect to global emergency action, the Pa rties retain their rights and obligations under 
Article XIX of GATT 1994 and the WTO Agreement on Safeguards.  Imports of originating goods 
from the other Party may be excluded from the action if these are not a "substantial cause of serious 
injury" or threat thereof (Article 2.7:6).  
                                                      
12 According to the Parties this concept is still being explored. WT/REG215/2 
Page 14  
 
  (b) Bilateral actions 
40. Article 2.7 sets out the rules that apply to th e imposition of a bilateral safeguard measure.  A 
Party may impose a bilateral safeguard measure on an originating good if there is an increase in 
imports in absolute terms, or relative to domes tic production, which causes or threatens to cause 
serious injury to the domestic industry of the im porting Party producing a like or directly competitive 
good.
13  Disciplines attached to such action include the need for prio r investigation by the Party's 
competent authorities;  scope and duration of the m easure;  provisional measures;  and compensation.  
No safeguard investigation may be initiated agains t a good, if the good is subject to an anti-dumping 
measure.  The conditions applied to the use of bilateral safeguards are detailed in Table III.4. 
Table III.4   
Conditions applied to the applic ation of bilateral safeguards 
Type of Safeguard 
Requirements 
Bilateral 
Trigger Rise in imports In absolute terms or relative to domestic production  
Criteria  Substantial cause of serious injury 9  
Measures allowed Suspension of further duty reduction 9 
 Increase in duty rate  MFN rate in effect when measure was taken, or MFN 
rate in effect on day preceding start of investigation, 
whichever is lower 
Timing Maximum duration, including extension  2 years plus 1 year extension 
 Safeguard measure vis-à-vis  the transition 
period of the good concerned   No measure may be maintained beyond the expiration 
of the transition perioda 
Conditions or limitations  Imports of good under investigation must 
represent more than 5% of domestic 
consumption or more than 10% of total imports 9 
 Information of the ins titution of a proceeding 
through written notice 9 
 Consultation 9 
 Prior investigation  9 
 Compensation  For measures exceeding 2 years  
a Defined in Article 2.11 as meaning the 15-year period following the entry into force of the Agreement. 
Source: WTO Secretariat 
 
(c) Restrictions to safeguard the balance of payments 
41. In Article 2.9 the Parties affirm that Artic le XII of the GATT 1994 and the Understanding on 
Balance of Payments Provisions  of the GATT 1994 apply to measur es taken by any Party for balance 
of payments purposes. 
3. Anti-dumping  
42. In Article 2.8, the Parties reaffirm their ri ghts and obligations under the WTO Agreement on 
the Implementation of Article VI of the GATT 1994, subject to certain changes in terms of 
implementation which are outlined in Table III.5.  No anti-dumping investig ation may be initiated 
against a good, if the good is s ubject to a safeguard measure.   
                                                      
13 "Serious injury" is defined in Article 2.1 of the Agreement as "a significant overall impairment in the 
position of a domestic industry".  WT/REG215/2 
 Page 15 
 
 
   
Table III.5 
Synopsis of Anti-Dumping Provisions under the Agreement 
Requirement WTO Agreement on Anti-Dumping Jordan-Singapore 
FTA 
de minimis  margin 2% 5%* 
Volume of dumped imports regarded as negligible 3% 5%* 
Undertaking anti-dumping action on behalf of  a third country applies Does not apply 
Time frame for determining material injury, calculation of 
volume of dumped imports in an investigation or review to be representative of imports of both dumped and non-dumped 
goods a reasonable period of time normally at least 
12 months 
Termination of anti-dumping duty not later than 5 years following imposition not later than 3 years 
following imposition 
"Lesser duty" rule (Article 9.1 of WTO Agreement on Anti-Dumping) desirable should be applied 
where possible 
* Applies to investigations and review cases initia ted after the entr y into force of the Agreement. 
 
Source: Jordan-Singapore FTA. 
 
4. Subsidies and Countervailing Measures 
43. Article 2.6 provides that the rights and obligations  of the Parties in respect of subsidies are 
governed by Articles VI and XVI of the GATT 1994, the WTO Agreement on Subsidies and  
Countervailing Measures, and the WTO Agreement on Agriculture. 
5. Other regulations 
(a) Customs-related procedures 
44. Customs procedures are dealt with in Articles 3.13-3.21.  Claims for preferential treatment are 
made based on the certificate of origin (Article 3.14).  If a Party denies a claim for preferential treatment under the Agreement it sha ll issue a written determination with in 30 days from the date of 
denial, containing its findings of fact and the legal basis for the determination (Article 3.15).  Upon 
request by the importer and the submission of the required information, the Parties must issue an 
advance ruling within 120 days on issues concer ning the qualification of a good as an originating 
good under the Agreement (Article 3.20).  There is no provision in the Agreement granting importers  
the right to an administrative review of th e determinations of customs authorities.   
45. Article 3.13 sets out the provisions regarding certification of origin.  This does not need to be 
in a prescribed format, but should contain the data elements set out in Annex 3A.
14  Article 3.16 
provides for the waiver of require ment for certification of origin under certain circumstances.  
Provisions relating to record keeping requirements, and cooperation on verificati on of proof of origin 
are set out in Articles 3.17-3.18. 
IV. PROVISIONS ON TRADE IN SERVICES AND INVESTMENT 
A. SCOPE AND DEFINITIONS  
46. Trade in services liberalization is governed by Chapter 4 on Trade in Services, which is 
defined to include the four modes of supply as in the GATS.  The Agreement follows a "positive list" 
approach for the scheduling of market access and national treatment commitments. 
                                                      
 14 These include name and address of the exporter, shipment details, full description of the goods 
including the HS Tariff Classification number, exporter  declaration, certification by authorised body, and 
certificate number. WT/REG215/2 
Page 16  
 
  47. The Agreement incorporates certain provisions mutatis mutandis  from the GATS 
(Article 4.4):  GATS Articles I:2-3 (Scope and Definition);  IX (Business Practices); XIV:(a)-(d) 
(General Exceptions); paragraphs  1, 2 and 4  of the Annex on M ovement of Natural Persons;  the 
Annex on Financial Services;  paragr aphs 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 of the Annex on Air Transport Services;  
and paragraphs 1-5 of the Annex on Telecommuni cations.  Article XXVIII of the GATS (Definitions) 
is also incorporated.
15   
48. The Agreement defines a "national" as either a c itizen or a permanent resident.  Accordingly, 
under the terms of the Agreement, permanent resident s of Jordan and Singapore enjoy the benefits of 
the Agreement as well as their citizens.  Under the GATS, Members must accord the same benefits to permanent residents of another Member as are accord ed to that other Member’s citizens provided, 
among other things, that a notification to this effect  has been submitted by such other Member at the 
time of acceptance or accession to the WTO Agreement.
16  Neither Jordan nor Singapore has made 
such a notification to the WTO. 
49. The Parties agree to review the treatment of  safeguard measures, subsidies and domestic 
regulation in the context of developments at th e WTO including the results of the negotiations on 
disciplines on domestic regulation measures pursuant to  Article VI:4 of the GATS and to enter into 
consultations to consider any amendment to the Agreement as appropriate (Article 4.4:4). 
B. MARKET ACCESS  
50. Article 4.2 of the Agreement incorporates by  reference the market access provisions of 
Article XVI of the GATS.   
C. MOST FAVOURED NATION PRINCIPLE , NATIONAL TREATMENT  
51. There is no provision in the Agreement according MFN treatment between the Parties as 
regards services trade.   
52. Under Article 4.3, like unde r Article XVII of the GATS, each Party agrees to accord to 
service suppliers of the other Party treatment no less favourable than that it accords, in like 
circumstances, to its own service suppliers in the sectors inscribed in its schedule of specific 
commitments.   
53. The market access and national treatment provisions of the Agreement do not apply to 
government procurement (Article 4.11). 
D. MOVEMENT OF NATURAL PERSONS  
54. As mentioned above, paragraphs  1, 2 and 4 of the GATS Annex on Movement of Natural 
Persons is incorporated into the Agreement.  Th e Parties' specific commitments on mode 4 are found 
in their respective schedules. 
                                                      
15 The definition of "natural person of a Party" is limited to nationals of a Party or those having the 
right of permanent residence in that Party. 
 16 See GATS Article XXVIII(k)(ii)2.  WT/REG215/2 
 Page 17 
 
 
  E. RECOGNITION  
55. Article 4.8 incorporates elements of Article V II:1 of the GATS.  Additionally, the Parties  
encourage their relevant competent bodies to ente r into negotiations on recognition of professional 
qualifications and/or registration procedures with a view to the achievement of early outcomes.17 
F. DOMESTIC REGULATION  
56. In Article 4.9, the provisions of GATS Article VI:1-3 and 6 are incorporated into the 
Agreement, mutatis mutandis .  The provisions of Article 4.9:2-3 mirror the provisions of 
GATS Article VI:4.  Pending the incorporation of disciplines pursuant to Article VI:4 of the GATS, 
the relevant criteria for measures relating to quali fication requirements and procedures, licensing 
requirements, and technical standards are the same  as those stipulated in the negotiating mandate 
under Article VI:4 of the GATS (transparency a nd objectivity, not unnecessarily burdensome, etc.) 
which, in turn, are implemented on a provisional b asis, in the form of a qualified standstill, under 
GATS Article VI:5.   
57. Article 4.14 specifies rules on transparency that mirror most of the requirements of Article III 
of the GATS.    
G. DENIAL OF BENEFITS  
58. Under Article 4.15, a Party may deny the benef its of the Chapter on trade in services to the 
supply of a service if it establishes that the service is supplied from or in the territory of a non-Party, 
or, in the case of the supply of a maritime transport service, if it establishes th at the service is supplied 
by a vessel registered under the laws of a non-Part y, and by a person which operates and/or uses the 
vessel in whole or in part but which is of a non-Party.   
59. In addition, a Party can deny benefits to a servi ce supplier that is a juridical person, if it 
establishes that it is not a service supplier of the other Party.18 
H. LIBERALIZATION COMMITMENTS  
60. The schedules of commitments are contained in Annexes 4A and 4B for Jordan and 
Singapore, respectively;  they are modelled on the GATS schedules with respect to the sectoral 
classification and the separation of sector-specific a nd horizontal commitments, the latter applying to 
all sectors listed.  The schedules include limita tions and conditions on market access and national 
treatment where relevant, the undertakings re lating to additional co mmitments and, where 
appropriate, the time frame for implementation.  Ar ticle 4.5:5 provides that upon request the Parties 
will hold consultations within three months from the da te of such request to consider any modification 
or withdraw of commitments. 
61. Under Article 4.6, the Parties may negotiate co mmitments with respect to measures affecting 
trade in services not subject to scheduling, includ ing those regarding qualif ications, standards or 
licensing matters.  The Parties shall consider ways  to improve commitments in the context of new 
services, taking into account the level of developmen t of such services in each Party (Article 4.7). 
                                                      
17 As of August 2008 the Parties have not concluded any MRAs. 
18 According to the GATS, a "juridical person of another Member" means a juridical person which is 
"constituted or otherwise organized under the law of that other Member, and is engaged in substantive business 
operations in the territory of that Member or any other Member".  Therefore, if an entity regards itself as a 
juridical person but does not have substantive business operations established in the territory of a Party, then it fails to meet the criteria as set out in the GATS definition.  Hence, the entity cannot be considered a juridical 
person, and by extension, is not a service supplier of that Party. WT/REG215/2 
Page 18  
 
  62. After four years of the entry into force of th e Agreement and at subsequent meeting of the 
Joint Committee, the Parties agree to review thei r commitments in telecommunications services with 
a view to making improved commitments (Article 4.16).   
1. Jordan 
(a) Horizontal commitments  
63. The horizontal commitments and limitations ta ken by Jordan under the Agreement match 
those found in its GATS schedule.   
(b) Sector specific commitments  
64. Jordan has undertaken very few commitments under the Agreement that go beyond its GATS 
schedule.  Under business services, for example, Jo rdan took GATS plus commitments under mode 3 
in R&D services by removing a foreign equity limitation.  In services incidental to manufacturing, and convention services, full openness is bound under mode  3, in contrast to its GATS schedule which 
contains a 50% foreign equity limitation.    
65. For communications services, construction and related engineering services, distribution 
services, and educational services, commitments  under the Agreement match Jordan's GATS 
commitments.  Under environmental services, Jord an has taken GATS plus commitments in relation 
to the following activities:  water purification;  waste water treatment;  water recycling;  desalination;  
and fluid treatment for processed industries.  For such services, modes 1 and 2 are unbound, while 
mode 3 is subject to many limitations, including th e exclusion of services provided to the public.  In 
financial services, health related and social services,  tourism and travel related services, recreational, 
cultural and sporting services, and transport ser vices, commitments under the Agreement match 
Jordan's GATS commitments.   
2. Singapore  
(a) Horizontal commitments  
66. Singapore's horizontal commitments in the Ag reement match those under GATS except that 
the period of stay under mode 4 for intra-corporat e transferees has been mo dified.  The Agreement 
provides for an initial entry of two years which may be extended up to a total period of eight years;  in 
the GATS, the initial stay is of three years and can be extended for a total term not exceeding 
five years. 
(b) Sector specific commitments  
67. For business services, under the Agreement Singapo re has relaxed the residency requirement 
in modes 1 and 3 for taxation services except for other tax-related services.  Singapore has also undertaken commitments in sub-sectors not include d in its GATS schedule with respect to, for 
example, landscape architectural services;  services provided by midwives, nurses, physiotherapists and para-medical personnel;  technical testing a nd analysis services of motor vehicles;  services 
incidental to manufacturing;  photographic services;  packaging services;  or convention services.  
GATS plus commitments have also been undertaken  concerning R&D, computer, real estate, and 
rental/leasing services, often with no market access or national treatment restrictions for modes 1-3.   
68. For communications services, commitments under the Agreement match Singapore's GATS 
commitments, except that there is no commercia l presence requirement under mode 1 for telecom 
value-added services.  Singapore has also taken co mmitments in distribution services (commission  WT/REG215/2 
 Page 19 
 
 
  agents, wholesale trade, and retailing services) , a sector uncommitted to in Singapore's GATS 
schedule.  Commitments in construction services match those under the GATS, while Singapore takes 
no commitments in education, environmental, and h ealth services, like at the multilateral level.   
69. For financial services, commitments u nder the Agreement in insurance services  match 
Singapore's GATS commitments.  Under banking and other financial services, Singapore has 
replicated its GATS commitments with some modifications in mode 3 commitments for lending of all 
types including consumer credit, mortgage credit, factoring and financing of  commercial transactions 
for lending of all types;  participation in issues of all kinds of securities, including underwriting and 
placement as agent and provision of services rela ted to such issues;  and settlement and clearing 
services for financial assets, including secur ities, derivative products and other negotiable 
instruments.  
70. Under tourism and travel related services, mote l lodging services has b een added, while the 
level of commitment under modes 1 and 3 for travel agent and tour operators services has been improved in comparison to Singapore's GATS commitments.  For transport services, Singapore replicates the maritime transport commitments it h as at the multilateral level, and adds commitments 
under maritime auxiliary services on international towage and classification societies (except for 
statutory services for Singapore flag ships).  Like under GATS, it has taken no commitments in the Agreement in relation to other – non maritime – transport services. 
I. R
ESTRICTIONS TO SAFEGUARD THE BALANCE OF PAYMENTS  
71. In the event of serious balance of payments and external financial difficulties or threat thereof 
Article 4.13 permits the Parties to maintain or adopt restrictions on trade in services including on 
payments or transfers.  Such measures are to be consistent with the Articles of Agreement of the IMF, 
avoid unnecessary damage to the commercial, economic a nd financial interests of the other Party, not 
exceed those necessary, be temporary and be applied on an MFN basis.  Restrictions are subject to 
consultations between the Parti es and to prompt notification. 
V. PROVISIONS AFFECTING TRADE IN GOODS, SERVICES AND INVESTMENT 
A. E-C OMMERCE  
72. Chapter 5 contains the provisions applicable to e-commerce between the Parties.  Under 
Article 5.1, the Parties agree not to deviate from the existing practice of not imposing customs duties 
on electronic transmissions, not to impose unnecessary barriers on electronic transmission, including digitized products, nor impede the supply through electronic means of services subject to commitments made under the services chapter of th e Agreement.  The Parties agree to make all 
relevant laws, regulati ons, and requirements affecting electronic commerce publicly available.   
B. I
NTELLECTUAL PROPERTY  
73. In Article 8.8, the Parties affirm their commitments under the WTO TRIPS Agreement. WT/REG215/2 
Page 20  
 
  C. G
OVERNMENT PROCUREMENT  
74. In Article 8.6 the Parties agree that pursuan t to Jordan's application to accede to the 
WTO Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA ) dated 12 July 2000, they will enter into 
negotiations with regard to Jord an's accession to that Agreement.19 
D. SECTOR -SPECIFIC PROVISIONS OF THE AGREEMENT  
75. No sector-specific provision per se  exists in the Agreement. 
E. INSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS OF THE AGREEMENT  
1. Exceptions and reservations 
76. Article 2.10 incorporates the provisions of Article  XX of the GATT 1994 into the Agreement.  
Article 8.4 incorporates the provisions of Article XX I of the GATT 1994 into the Agreement, with the 
additional criterion that Parties may take any acti on considered necessary for the protection of their 
essential security interests relating to the supply of servi ces as carried out directly or indirectly for the 
purpose of provisioning a military establishment. 
2. Accession 
77. There is no provision in the Agreement for the accession of third Parties. 
3. Institutional framework 
78. Article 8.1 provides for the establishment of a Joint Committee to supervise the 
implementation of the Agreement and to review th e trade relationship between the Parties.  The 
functions of the Joint Committee include, inter alia , reviewing the functioning and results of the 
Agreement and the Bilateral Inv estment Treaty (BIT) signed on 16 May 2004;  considering any matter 
affecting the operation of the Agreement;  reviewi ng any claim pursuant to Article 5 of the BIT;  
considering and adopting by mutual agreement an y amendment to the Agreement;  facilitating the 
avoidance and settlement of disputes;  and devel oping guidelines, explanatory materials, and rules on 
the proper implementation of the Agreement.  The Jo int Committee is to convene within one year of 
the date of entry into force of the Agreement and convene thereafter every two years in regular 
sessions, or at such other dates and intervals as may be agreed upon. 
79. Article 2.4 provides that each Party shall pub lish its laws, regulations and administrative 
rulings of general application respecting any matter. 
4. Dispute settlement 
80. Chapter 7 sets out the procedures that apply to the settlement of disputes relating to the 
application or interpretation of the Agreement, while Annex 7A applies to the establishment of 
arbitral tribunals.  Article 7.1:3 contains a forum election clause whereby, in  the event of a dispute 
arising under both the Agreement and the WTO Agreement, the complaining Party may select the 
forum in which to settle the dispute.  In the event that consultations between the Parties fail to settle 
the dispute an arbitral tribunal may be appointed.  The hearings before the arbitral panel, its deliberations and the documents submitted to it, are confidential.  A Party may disclose statements of 
                                                     
 
19 According to the Parties, as of  August 2008 Jordan is still negotia ting its accession with GPA Parties, 
of which Singapore is one.  After its accession, the Parties will discuss the inclusion of a Chapter on 
Government Procurement in the Agreement at the first meeting of the Joint Committee.  WT/REG215/2 
 Page 21 
 
 
  its position or its submission to the public pr ovided that it refrains from making public any 
information deemed confidential by the other Party.   The details of the dispute settlement provisions 
of the Agreement are outlined in Table V.1. 
Table V.1 
Synopsis of the Agreement's Dispute Settlement Provisions 
 
 
5. Relationship with other agreements concluded by the Parties 
81. In Article 1.1.2 the Parties affirm their existi ng rights and obl igations with respect to each 
other under existing bilateral, regi onal and multilateral agreements to  which they are both parties, 
including the WTO Agreement.   
82. Table V.2 lists the regional trade agreements  (RTAs), (notified and non-notified to the 
GATT/WTO and in force), as of August 2008 to which Jordan and Singapore are parties.   
Table V.2   
Jordan and Singapore:  Participation in othe r RTAs (notified and non-notified in force)  
Partner / Agreement GATT/WTO Notification 
 Date of 
entry  
into force Type of 
agreement Year WTO Provision 
JORDAN 
European Communities 01.05.02 Goods 2002 GATT Art. XXIV 
EFTA 01.01.02 Goods 2002 GATT Art. XXIV 
United States 17.12.01 Goods & Services 2002 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V 
Pan-Arab FTA (GAFTA) 01.01.98 Goods 2006 GATT Art. XXIV 
Israel 19.4.1996 Goods Not notified  
Morocco* 3.10.1999 Goods Not notified  
Syria* 21.5.2002 Goods Not notified  Consultations  (Art. 7.2) 
Refer to Joint Committee or Arbitral 
Tribunal  (Art. 7.3) 
Functions  (Art. 2 of Annex 7) 
Rules of procedure  (Art. 3 of Annex 7) 
Initial Report  issued  (Art. 3.2 of 
Annex 7) Compliance with findings 
within reasonable period of 
time  (Art. 4.1 of Annex 7) Within 30 (or 45) days, if 
Appointment of Arbitral Tribunal 
(Art. 1 of Annex 7A) Within 30 days 
Within 90 days of formation of  
Arbitral Tribunal Final Report made public   (Art. 
3.3 of Annex 7) Within 30 days of presentation of initial 
repor t
Within 45 days of release of report 
If not, Arbitral Tribunal issues report on 
reasonable period of time within 45 days  
Compensation  (Art. 4.3) WT/REG215/2 
Page 22  
 
  Partner / Agreement GATT/WTO Notification 
 Date of 
entry  
into force Type of 
agreement Year WTO Provision 
Tunisia* 16.6.1999 Goods Not notified  
Palestinian Authority* 1995 Goods Not notified  
Egypt* 28.12.1999 Goods Not notified  
Sudan* 29.8.2003 Goods Not notified  
Bahrain* 29.11.2002 Goods Not notified  
United Arab Emirates* 24.11.2001 Goods Not notified  
SINGAPORE 
Panama 24.07.06 Goods & Services 2007 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V 
Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic 
Partnership (Brunei Darussalam, Chile, New Zealand) 28.05.06 Goods & Services 2007 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V 
Republic of Korea 02.03.06 Goods & Services 2006 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V 
India 01.08.05 Goods & Services 2007 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V 
United States 01.01.04 Goods & Services 2003 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V 
Australia 28.07.03 Goods & Services 2003 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V 
EFTA 01.01.03 Goods & Services 2003 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V 
Japan 30.11.02 Goods & Services 2002 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V 
New Zealand 01.01.01 Goods & Services 2001 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V 
ASEAN Agreements: 
 ASEAN-China  
 ASEAN-China  
 AFTA  
01.07.03 01.07.07 28.01.92  
Goods Services Goods  
2004 2008 1992  
Enabling Clause GATS Art. V Enabling Clause 
GSTP 19.04.89 Goods 1989 Enabling Clause 
*  According to Jordan, these RT As are not being implemented. 
Source: WTO Secretariat.  
 
EFTA: European Free Trade Area 
GSTP: Global System of Trade Preferences 
AFTA: ASEAN Free Trade Area 
   WT/REG215/2 
 Page 23 
 
 
  ANNEX 
 
Indicators of trade liberalization under the Agreement  
 
1. A comparison between the scheduled elimination of tariffs applied to the Parties' mutual 
imports and the duty rates applied by Jordan and Singapore to MFN imports is shown in Tables A.1 
(Jordan) and A.2 (Singapore) below, according to agricultural, non-agricultural and total products.  
Applied MFN duty rates in 2005 serve as a basis for the comparison. 
2. Jordan has a variable MFN tariff structure.  Its (unweighted) average MFN rate (2005) is 
11.8% on all goods, with a higher average tariff app lied to agricultural goods than to non-agricultural 
products.  A total of 46.8% of Jordan's tariff lines are duty-free at an MFN level.  On entry into force, 
Singapore's exporters enjoyed a relative margin of  preference of 2.8% on non-agricultural products 
vis-à-vis  the prevailing average MFN tariff in 2005, and a relative margin of preference of 1.1% in 
agricultural goods.  By the end of the transition period in 2014, these figures increase to 98.1% and 
69.6%, respectively.  The share of duty-free tari ff lines on all products increases from 47.9% in 2005 
to 97.6% in 2014.  
Table A.1  
Jordan: Indicators of MFN tariff rates and pr eferential rates for imports from Singapore 
ALL PRODUCTS Agricultural products a Non-agricultural products 
Average applied 
tariff Average applied 
tariff Average applied tariff Origin  
of goods Year 
Overall 
(%) On 
dutiableb 
(%) Share of 
duty-free 
tariff 
lines (%) Overall 
(%) On 
dutiableb 
(%) Share of 
duty-free 
tariff 
lines (%) Overall 
(%) On 
dutiableb 
(%) Share of 
duty-free 
tariff 
lines (%) 
MFN 2005 11.8 22.1 46.8 18.1 26.2 30.8 10.8 21.2 49.3 
Singapore 2005 11.5 22.2 47.9 17.9 25.9 30.9 10.5 21.4 50.6 
 2006 11.4 21.9 47.9 17.6 25.5 30.9 10.4 21.1 50.6 
 2007 11.3 21.6 47.9 17.4 25.2 30.9 10.3 20.9 50.6 
 2008 11.1 21.4 47.9 17.1 24.8 30.9 10.2 20.7 50.6 
 2009 11.0 21.4 48.6 16.9 24.7 31.5 10.1 20.7 51.3 
 2010 9.1 17.7 48.6 14.6 21.3 31.5 8.2 16.9 51.3 
 2011 7.1 13.7 48.6 12.3 18.0 31.5 6.2 12.8 51.3 
 2012 5.0 9.7 48.6 10.1 14.7 31.5 4.2 8.7 51.3 
 2013 3.0 5.7 48.6 7.8 11.4 31.5 2.2 4.5 51.3 
 2014 0.9 38.4 97.6 5.5 46.8 88.0 0.2 21.5 99.1 
a WTO definition. b "on dutiable" excludes duty-free tariff lines.
 
 
Source:  WTO Secretariat estimates based on data provided by Jordan. 
 
3. Singapore's tariff structure is duty free on an MF N basis for all but six tariff lines.  These 
lines are liberalized upon entry into force of the Ag reement, resulting in complete duty-free treatment 
for Jordan's exports to Singapore. 
Table A.2  
Singapore:  Indicators of MFN tariff rates a nd preferential rates for imports from Jordan 
ALL PRODUCTS Agricultural products a Non-agricultural products 
Average applied 
tariff Average applied tariff Average applied tariff Origin 
of 
goods Year 
Overall 
(%) On 
dutiableb 
(%) Share of 
duty-
free 
tariff 
lines 
(%) Overall 
(%) On 
dutiableb 
(%) Share of 
duty-
free 
tariff 
lines 
(%) Overall 
(%) On 
dutiableb 
(%) Share of 
duty-free 
tariff lines 
(%) 
MFN 2005 0.0 0.0 99.9 0.0 0.0 99.5 0.0 0.0 100.0 
Jordan 2005 0.0 0.0 100.0 0.0 0.0 100.0 0.0 0.0 100.0 
a WTO definition. 
b "on dutiable" excludes duty-free tariff lines. 
Source:  Data provided by Singapore   WT/REG215/2 
Page 24  
 
  4. Table A.3 shows the market access opportunities in Singapore for Jordan's top 25 exports, 
which in 2002-2004 accounted on average for 54.4% of  Jordan's global exports.  The table shows at 
which year all HS 8-digit tariff lines corresponding to the product definition (i.e. applying to the 
6-digit HS code used to capture the volume of trade) will become duty-free in Singapore. 
5. Jordan's top 25 exports cover a total of 109 HS  8-digit tariff lines in Singapore's tariff 
schedule.  All of these products were already subject to duty-free MFN rates. 
Table A.3 
Market access opportunities in Singapore und er the agreement, for Jordan's top 25 exports 
Access Conditions to 
Singapore's import markets  
MFN (2005)  Jordan's top export products in 2002-2004  
HS number and description of the product  Share in global 
exports (%)  Average MFN 
applied rate 
(%) Number of 
Duty-free 
tariff lines  
310410 Carnallite, sylvite and other crude  natural potassium salts 6.4 0.0 1 
710812 Gold, other unwrought forms 4.5 0.0  2 
251010 Natural calcium phosphates, unground 4.4 0.0  2 
300490 Other medicaments other than  those containing penicillins, 
antibiotics, hormones, alkaloids and other medicaments 3.5 0.0  29 
310290 Mineral or chemical fertilisers, other 3.3 0.0  1 
151620 Vegetable fats and oils and their fractions 2.9 0.0  21 
300390 Other medicaments (excluding goods of heading 30.02, 30.05 & 
30.06) other than those contai ning penicillins, antibiotics, 
hormones, alkaloids and other medicaments 2.8 0.0  5 
280920 Phosphoric acid and polyphosphoric acids 2.7 0.0  3 
620510 Men's or boys' shirts, of wool  or fine animal hair 2.7 0.0  1 
711319 Articles of jewellery and parts thereof, of other precious metal, 
whether or not plated or clad with precious metal 2.5 0.0  2 
620349 Men's or boys' suits, of other textile materials 2.2 0.0  4 
070200 Tomatoes, fresh or chilled. 1.9 0.0  1 
610690 Women's or girls' blouses, of  other textile materials 1.4 0.0  3 
610711 Men's or boys' underpants, of cotton 1.4 0.0  1 
620339 Men's or boys' suits, of other textile materials 1.4 0.0  2 
240290 Other cigars, cigarillos a nd cigarettes containing tobacco 
substitutes 1.3 0.0  2 
611020 Jerseys, pullovers, cardigans, of cotton 1.3 0.0  1 
040210 Milk and cream, in powder, granul es or other solid forms, of a fat 
content, by weight, not exceeding 1.5% 1.1 0.0  8 
620590 Men's or boys' shirts, of other textile materials 1.1 0.0  2 
620462 Women's or girls' suits, of cotton 1.1 0.0  1 
252329 Other portland cement, other than  those white cement, whether or 
not artificially coloured 1.0 0.0  2 
610990 T-shirts, singlets and other vest s, knitted or crocheted, of other 
textile materials 1.0 0.0  4 
610469 Trousers, bib and brace overalls, breeches and shorts of other 
textile materials 0.8 0.0  2 
340290 Other organic surface- Active ag ents, whether or not put up for 
retail sale 0.8 0.0  8 
070700 Cucumbers and gherkins, fresh or chilled. 0.7 0.0  1 
Total of above 54.4  109 
Source:  Data provided by Singapore an d UNSD, Comtra de Database. 
 
6. Like Table A.3, Table A.4 shows the market  access opportunities in Jordan for Singapore's 
top 25 exports (at the HS 6-digit level), which acc ounted on average for 55.6% of Singapore's exports 
to the world in 2002-04.  The table shows in which year all HS 9-digit tariff lines corresponding to the 
product definition (i.e. applying to the 6-digit HS code used to capture the volume of trade) will 
become duty-free in Jordan.   
7. Singapore's top 25 exports cover a total of 51 HS 9- digit tariff lines in Jordan's tariff schedule.  
Seventeen of Singapore's top 25 exports (which account for 22 HS 9-digit lines and 41.2% of 
Singapore's average global exports in the period 2002-04) already benefit from zero MFN duties in  WT/REG215/2 
 Page 25 
 
 
  Jordan's market, one product (accounting for 0.5%  of Singapore's average global exports) gains 
immediate duty-free access, two products are granted duty-free access in 2009 and five in 2014.  The margin of preference granted to Singapore by Jordan under the Agreement varies from 0 to 30 percentage points. 
Table A.4 
Market access opportunities in Jordan under th e Agreement, for Singapore's top 25 exports  
Access Conditions to Jordan's import markets  
MFN (2005)  Singapore's top export products in 2002-2004  Number of tariff 
lines  Duty-free in  
HS number and description of the product  Share in 
global 
exports 
(%) Average 
MFN 
applied 
rate 
(%) Duty-
free Dutiable 2005 2009 2014  
854229 Other monolithic integrated circuits other 
than digital 11.9 0.0 1     
847170 Storage units 6.8 0.0 1     
847330 Parts and accessories of the machines of 
heading 84.71 6.6 0.0 1     
271019 Other petroleum oils and oils obtained from 
bituminous minerals other than light oils and 
preparations 5.8 20.0  3   3 
854221 Electronic integrated circuits and 
microassemblies, digital 4.8 0.0 1     
854260 Hybrid integrated circuits 2.8 0.0 1     
271011 Light oils and preparations 2.6 20.0  3   3 
852520 Transmission apparatus incorporating 
reception apparatus 2.5 2.5 1 1   1 
854290 Electronic integrated circuits and 
microassemblies parts 1.2 0.0 1     
847160 Input or output units, whether or not 
containing storage units in the same housing 1.2 0.0 1     
852990 Other parts suitable for use solely or 
principally with the apparatus of headings 
85.25 to 85.28  1.1 8.3 2 1  1  
847180 Other units of automatic data processing 
machines 1.0 0.0 1     
843143 Parts of boring or sinking machinery of 
subheading 8430.41 or 8430.49 0.9 20.0  1   1 
852491 Records, tapes and other recorded media, for 
reproducing phenomena other than sound or image 0.8 0.0 1     
853690 Electrical apparatus for switching or 
protecting electrical circuits, other apparatus 0.7 8.3 2 1   1 
854129 Other transistors, other than photosensitive 
transistors other than those with a dissipation 
rate of less than 1 W 0.7 0.0 1     
293090 Other organo-sulphur compounds  0.6 0.0 6     
853400 Printed circuits. 0.6 0.0 1     
292250 Amino-alcohol-phenol s, amino-acid-phenols 
and other amino-compounds with oxygen function 0.5 0.0 1     
854110 Diodes, other than photosensitive or light 
emitting diodes 0.5 0.0 1     
852290 Other parts and accessories suitable for use 
solely or principally with the apparatus of 
headings 85.19 to 85.21  0.5 30.0  1  1  
880330 Other parts of airplanes or  helicopters 0.5 10.0  1 1   
854150 Other semiconductor devices 0.4 0.0 1     
293329 Other compounds containing an unfused 
imidazole ring (whether or not 
hydrogenated)  0.4 0.0 1     
854190 Diodes, transistors and similar 
semiconductor devices, parts 0.4 0.0 1     
Total of above 55.6  27 12 1 2 9 
Source: Data provided by Jordan and UNSD, Comtrade Database. 
__________