. /.  WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION   
WT/MIN(11)/ST/81 
17 December 2011  
 
(11-6649) 
MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE 
Eighth Session Geneva, 15 - 17 December 2011 Original:   English 
 
  
MALAWI 
 
Statement by the Hon. John Bande 
Minister of Industry and Trade 
   We are gathered here today to review how th e WTO has performed in delivering its promises 
as agreed in 2009 as well as have an insight into  how we must proceed with these negotiations.  
Malawi views these negotiations as being of partic ular importance to our country because of the 
benefits that will be derive d from concluding this Round. 
  However, it is axiomatic the negotiations are still at an impasse given the increase in the 
number of unresolved or un-concluded issues hence br inging uncertainty as to when to expect this 
Round to deliver for the poor.  Malawi like othe r LDCs will not give up until the Round achieves its 
intended purpose. 
  The LDCs' share of exports in international trade continues to hover around 1 per cent over the years.  In order to create meaningful and am bitious market-access opportunities on a lasting basis, 
there is no alternative to delivering on the Doha commitments for LDCs with in the framework of the 
multilateral trading system.  Malawi therefore, calls on the need for an early harvest  on issues of 
interest to LDCs in the DDA.  These issues include trade facilitation, special and differential 
treatment, export competition in agriculture and cotton among others.   Agriculture, which is the mainstay of the Ma lawi economy, remains central to the Round in 
determining its development dime nsion.  Malawi supports the concerns and proposals of the 
LDC countries in calling for a reaffirmation of the mandate given in the General Council Decision of 
1 August 2004, and confirmed by the Hong Kong Mi nisterial Declaration of December 2005, to 
address ambitiously, expeditiously and specifically ma tters pertaining to all trade-distorting policies 
affecting the sector including cotton in all three pilla rs of market access, domestic support and export 
competition. 
 
 Malawi, like many LDCs, utilization of mark et access opportunities, is currently low due to 
supply-side capacity problems .  Ironically, on some of the products such as tobacco, rice and sugar, 
that Malawi has the capacity to produce, de veloped countries have restricted these products 
under quotas and have been excluded from duty- a nd quota-free market access.  In addition, the 
products face substantial trade barriers includi ng standards.  I, therefore, call upon all 
developed country Members to expeditiously ad dress these issues of concern to LDCs with the 
overarching goal of developing our export trad e and integration into the global economy. 
  It will be remiss of me not to commend our S outh-South cooperating part ners for fulfilling the 
Hong Kong Ministerial mandate in providing duty- and quota-free market access to most of the 
products originating from LDCs as a result some of our countries have substantially increased their 
exports to these countries as is the case with Ch ina where our trade has grown by 200 per cent. WT/MIN(11)/ST/81 
Page 2  
 
   In respect of non-agriculture market access nego tiations, Malawi would like to emphasize that 
negotiations on NAMA should not lead to de-ind ustrialization and should minimize erosion of 
trade preferences which is bound to affect LDCs negatively.   Many of us are in the process of strengthening our regulatory and institutional preparedness in 
light of our evolving interest in the services sector .  We, therefore, strongly support the view that any 
outcome of the DDA services negotiations should take  into account the effort s already made and the 
autonomous liberalization by LDCs with due acc ount to their level of development and human, 
institutional regulatory capacities.  In this regard, we call upon the MC8 to adopt the draft text for a 
Services Waiver decision on " Preferential Treatment to Services and Service Suppliers of Least 
Developed Countries ''. 
  Malawi takes cognizance of the good progress made  in trade facilitation and in TRIPS area.  
However, Malawi would like to call for commitme nt by the developed countries to help LDCs 
prepare needs assessment. 
 
 Malawi further supports the need for an exte nsion of the transition period under Article 66.1 
to give more room to LDCs to fulfil impl ementation obligations under this agreement. 
  The provision of technical and financial assist ance including that within the EIF framework 
remain critical to address supply-side constraints of  LDCs.  We believe that sustained supply of such 
assistance is critical to the integration of LDCs like Malawi into the global economy. 
  My proposal is that lets us advance negotiations in the areas where progress can be achieved.  Where substantial differences remain, work should c ontinue on the basis of the progress achieved to 
date and that since this is a development age nda, development should be at the centre of any 
outcomes. 
  In conclusion, I wish to reiterate my gove rnment's commitment to the multilateral trading 
system and urge all the key players in the DDA to look beyond their narrow interests and consider the 
impact the collapse of the negotiations would have  on LDCs and Small and Vu lnerable Economies.  I 
wish to affirm the declarations by the LDC, Afri can, ACP, Friends of Development that have been 
adopted at this meeting with the inte ntion of advancing the Doha Process. 
 
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