. /.  WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  WT/MIN(05)/ST/68 
15 December 2005 
 (05-6039) 
MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE 
Sixth Session Hong Kong, 13 - 18 December 2005 Original:   Spanish 
 
  
GUATEMALA 
 
Statement by HE Mr Marcio R. Cuevas Quezada
 
Minister of Economy  
  
GUATEMALA, "guauhtematlan" meaning country of trees  in Nahuati, considered to be the 
geographical centre of the American continent,  wishes to greet and thank the authorities of 
Hong Kong, China, for their warm hospitality, which has made us feel so much at home.  We would 
also like to salute the Chairman of the Ministerial Conference, the Director-General of the WTO, the 
Chairman of the General Council, the Ministers, Ambassadors and Delegates from the countries that 
make up the World Trade Organizati on, and the observer institutions. 
I will begin by explaining Guatemala's overall view of the negotiating process under the Doha 
Development Programme. 
I should first refer to the preamble to the Doha Mi nisterial Declaration.  In that preamble it is 
stated that the WTO recognizes the need for all our peoples to benefit from the increased 
opportunities and welfare gains that the multilateral trading system generates.   
In keeping with the above and to ensure that a ll, including the smallest and most vulnerable, 
participate in and benefit from the multilateral tr ading system, a work programme on small economies 
was established.  Specifically, paragraph 35 of the Doha work programme stipulates that this 
programme should have as its clear objective the prov ision of responses to the issues that affect such 
countries.  Of course, these responses should be focused on achieving their fuller and effective 
integration into the multilateral trading system 
These words incorporate Guatemala's overall vi ew of the negotiating process under the Doha 
Development Programme and, moreover, constitute  the general framework that should embrace the 
results of this round of negotiations, whatever they may be. 
I will now outline Guatemala's specific views on the various negotiating issues. 
I will begin with the agricultural negotiations.  Agriculture generates most of the productive 
activity and therefore creates most of the jobs in Guatemala.  Guatemala's agricultural policy is a 
rational one and consistent with the spirit and rules of the WTO.  Guatemala maintains a tariff 
reduction programme and does not grant subsidi es or provide domestic support for production. 
As a member of the Cairns Group, Guatemala considers it essential to improve the conditions 
of access to the international markets for agricultu ral goods.  Of course, effective market access can 
only be guaranteed if the other measures that distor t trade are also corrected.  Guatemala therefore 
requests the speedy elimination of export subsidies.   Measures of this type place our products at a 
distinct competitive disadvantage on our own domestic  market and even more so on third-country 
export markets.  All this is discouraging dom estic industry and holding back the country's WT/MIN(05)/ST/68 
Page 2  
 
 development.  The situation is even  worse where the products affected are, or could be, a main engine 
of national economic growth.  For these reasons we ur ge the rapid and complete elimination of export 
subsidies. 
In addition, and as a member of the G20, Gu atemala considers that the Doha Round, or 
so-called Development Round, offers a decisive a nd historic opportunity within the WTO negotiations 
for the developed countries to demonstrate their political will to support the developing countries by 
adopting measures that extend and improve their pa rticipation in the multilateral trading system. 
As a member of the G33, Guatemala is also tr ying to ensure that special and differential 
treatment is fully incorporated in each of the pilla rs of the agricultural negotiations, especially through 
the implementation of defence mechanisms adjusted  to the economic realities of the developing 
countries. 
I shall now turn to the negotiations on non-ag ricultural goods.  As I began by saying,  the 
general framework of the "small economies" should be reflected in all the areas of negotiation.  I 
should therefore point out that for Guatemala it is imperative that in the NAMA negotiations Guatemala's special status as a small economy should be recognized and that this treatment should be 
reflected in all aspects of the Doha Round negotiations. 
I shall next refer to the question of services.  Our geographical position and tourist attractions 
have enabled us to increase participation in tr ade in services.  Therefore, in accordance with 
Guatemala's commitment to these negotiations, we intend to continue complying with the services 
negotiation mandate.  Evidence of our interest in th e negotiations is the fact that we now have an 
initial offer with a substantial content.  Of cour se, as in any negotiating process, Guatemala expects 
reciprocity from its trading partners.  This reciprocity should focus on services sectors of interest to 
small economies.  Openness with respect to "Mode 4" is undoubtedly one of these. 
In connection with the intellectual property nego tiations, Guatemala will try to ensure that the 
negotiations do not add commitments and obligations that are burdensome for developing countries.  
This will partly involve seeing to it that the nego tiations on creating a multilateral register for wines 
and spirits remain within the limits of the negotiating mandate. 
With regard to the negotiations on standards, trade facilitation and dispute settlement, we urge 
that the outcome should include and fully resp ect the development dimension.  Special and 
differential treatment measures, technical assistance  and capacity building are an essential part of 
these negotiations. 
Finally, to conclude, I reiterate Guatemala's commitment to the multilateral trading system.  
Guatemala will continue participating actively and c onstructively.  Our efforts will be focused on the 
progressive liberalization of world trade.  However, at  the same time, we will ta ke care to ensure that 
this process is conducted in a responsible manner and for the benefit of all the participants in the 
multilateral trading system. 
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