WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  WT/MIN(05)/ST/16 
14 December 2005 
 (05-5969) 
MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE 
Sixth Session Hong Kong, 13 - 18 December 2005 Original:   English 
 
  
EGYPT 
 
Statement by HE Mr Rachid Mohamed Rachid
 
Minister of Foreign Trade and Industry  
  
 I would like to start by applauding our DG Pascal Lamy for his outstanding efforts and 
exceptional leadership in moving the Doha Round negotiations forward. 
 
 I would also like to express the thanks of my delegation to the authorities of Hong Kong, 
China for their efficient arrangements and warm hosp itality, and to the WTO Secretariat for the work 
in preparing this important Ministerial.   As I stand before you today on this respected pl atform, I call upon all of us to remember that 
we all have a stake in the success of the Doha Development Round if not for the sake of ourselves or 
our individual countries, then for the sake of th e global system credibility and future generations' 
welfare and prosperity. 
 
 We are all aware of the current uncertainties faced by the world economy, and the threats 
posed by violence, intolerance and extremism, we  should not risk adding another problem to the 
global agenda.  Instead, successful multilateral trade talks can help in promoting economic growth, 
creating jobs, and alleviating poverty.  Thereby re ducing tensions, and leading to a more stable and 
fair global system. 
  We are as well aware of the challenge of our meetings this week in the full glare of the world's media.  It is a test of our faith in the multilateral trading system and the ability of 150 countries to work together for the common good. 
 
 I call upon all of us to intensify our efforts and to work hard to guarantee a progress in the 
negotiations during the coming days, and the succes sful conclusion of the Doha Development Round 
in 2006.   Yes, we have indeed recalibrated our expect ations for Hong Kong, yet I am optimistic about 
our meeting in the coming few days.  I believe that  Hong Kong is but another chance and opportunity 
to put the negotiations on its right tracks, so please let us not miss it.   Let's recall that we are all here for one clear goal, which is to ensure a more open, fair and 
credible multilateral trading system.  Let's not permit our differences a nd short-term gains to 
overshadow the key long term raison d'etre  of our presence. 
  We have a draft text in our hands, which is consider to be a good basis for the final 
Ministerial Declaration.  I am confident that it will not be a merely stocktaking document; it will go 
beyond this to take some steps forward towards r eaching at minimum conceptual convergence, to be 
followed shortly by numerical outcomes. WT/MIN(05)/ST/16 
Page 2  
 
  We need to keep up the momentum and ambiti on.  We need to agree on what needs to be 
achieved from now up until the end of 2006, the concre te action plan and measures to be taken, and 
the time line for implementation.   Of course two issues are of paramount importa nce and need to be discussed and resolved 
a priori:  dates for establishing modalities, and ba sed on them submission of a comprehensive draft 
schedule.   Equally important is to remember that the de velopment package is the content of the Round. 
This Round will not be judged by its completion, rather  by its developmental content.  I believe this 
requires a fresh approach to deal with developmen t and a precise make-up of its package, and means 
of delivering it.   Therefore, it is of paramount importance to a pproach development with a broad and practical 
vision that firmly preserves it as an integral part of the Doha Round.  Accordingly, the development 
package should include substantia l market access opportunities, sufficient amount of all forms of 
assistance, and a well designed governance structure th at ensures the efficient implementation of this 
package.   Concerning market access, I would like to look at  some of the detailed issues at stake in Hong 
Kong. 
 
 On agriculture, developing countries would be nefit a lot from eliminating trade distorting 
export practices, and the reduction of domestic su bsidies that undermine competitive production in 
these countries.  Combined with lower tariffs, this will give them improved market access. I am fully 
aware that decisions on lowering tariffs entails po litical difficulties in some countries, but they are 
indeed of great economic benefits for all countries. 
  On NAMA, I urge that efforts must be made to separate progress in other tracks, especially in 
agriculture from progress in NAMA.   I would also like to urge all parties to cons ider carefully the principle of less than full 
reciprocity when deciding on the coefficients in th e formula for tariff reduction.  The agreed tariff 
reduction for industrial goods should also be proportional to the level of tariff reduction achieved in 
agriculture and to the actual prevailing level of  average tariff and trade distortions in both the 
industrial and agriculture goods.  
 As well, I would like to high light that Egypt stresses the importance of maintaining less than 
full reciprocity and flexibilities as two comp lementary issues rather than substitutes. 
  On services, despite the wide divergence on ser vice negotiations, I urge Members to continue 
their discussions in a constructive manner with the aim of narrowing the gap and reaching a compromise in this regard.  
 As for the second aspect of development, the financial technical and capacity-building 
assistance, we welcome the support given by G7 Finance Ministers at their meeting in London on 2-3 December for a substantial growth in Aid for Trad e expected to be $4 billion annually.  We also 
commend the "Aid for Trade" commitments in favour  of African countries made by G8 leaders in 
Scotland in July. 
  However, I would like to highlight that Aid for Trade is an important complement to the world trade talks, but it cannot be a substitute for development that can occur mainly from substantial 
improvements in market access particularly in agriculture. 
  WT/MIN(05)/ST/16 
 Page 3 
 
 
  Finally, as for the governance aspect of developm ent, I would like to stress the need for a new 
institutional framework for managing the allocation,  delivery, and performance of trade related 
technical assistance and capacity-b uilding within the WTO. What we are looking for is an efficient 
management system for the development assistance th at builds and strengthens the current system of 
technical and financial assistance. 
 
 As for Egypt, I would like to reiterate the Gove rnment's firm commitment to the WTO, and to 
the vital role it plays in maintaining a fair, transp arent and rule-based global trading system.  We are 
determined to work closely with all WTO Members to  spread the benefits of trade more widely, and 
help less developed countries to take  advantage of more open markets. 
 
As a coordinator of the African Group, I would like to highlight the key priorities of the 
African countries that need considerable attention from us: 
• On agriculture, there is a need to eliminat e all forms of agricultural export subsidies, 
without prejudice to special and differential treatment provisions; 
• on cotton, it is crucial to reach a satisfactory and meaningful solution on cotton; 
• on commodities, a strong action should be ta ken in favour of the poor countries; 
• on NAMA, we need to agree on how to ope rationalize less than full reciprocity for 
developing counties, and to endorse strong sp ecial and differential treatment to them; 
• for LDCs, they should be given enough suppor t to be able to enjoy the benefits of 
trade liberalization. 
 In this regard, I would like to congratulat e all WTO Members for their last minute deal 
regarding the adoption of the amendments of Article  31 of the TRIPS Agreement and thus resolving 
the issue of public health.  
 In closing, I would like to reiterate that we all have much to gain from successful completion 
of this Round.  Therefore, let us show the n ecessary political will to strive for high levels of 
convergence on all core issues, to address the de velopmental dimension, and to set ourselves 
ambitious targets to close remaining gaps in 2006.  
__________