WORLD TRADE WT/MIN(96)/ST/85
11December 1996
ORGANIZATION(96-5262)
MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE Original: English
Singapore, 9-13December 1996
UGANDA
Statement byTheHonourable Henry Muganwa Kajura
Minister ofTrade andIndustry
Ishould liketoassociate myself withtheprevious speakers toexpress ourdeepgratitude to
theGovernment andthepeople ofSingapore fortheirwarm welcome andhospitality. Theconvening
ofthisfirstWTO Ministerial meeting hereinSingapore isfurther testimony ofSingapore 'scommitment
toamultilateral framework fortrade.
TheSingapore Conference constitutes alandmark inthemultilateral trading system. Itaffords
usanopportunity totakestock ofchanges thathavetaken place since ourlastmeeting inMarrakesh
andenables ustoconsider more closely thechallenges posed bytheinternational economic landscape
thatliesahead. Globalization andliberalization have greatly increased world trade andglobal
interdependence. However, mostoftheleastdeveloped countries especially those inAfrica, arestill
inthefringes oftheglobal trading system andcontinue tobemarginalized. How tointegrate those
countries isoneofthegreatest challenges facing thisConference.
Most leastdeveloped countries havehadtremendous difficulties intheimplementing ofWTO
Agreements notably intheareas ofnotifications andreview requirements. Given thecomplexity of
meeting thenotification andreview requirements imposed bytheUruguay Round, theWTO andother
organizations should provide technical assistance toenable thedeveloping countries toputinplace
thenecessary measure soastoensure theirharmonious integration intotheglobal economy.
There isneedforourpartners indevelopment tolendsupport tothespecial anddifferential
treatment thatdeveloping countries havebeenadvocating ininternational foraincluding WTO andthe
Bretton Woods institutions. Second, thereisneedtoputinplace mechanisms forincreasing tradeable
goods originating from thedeveloping countries. Third, thedeveloped world canprovide valuable
assistance tothedeveloping countries intheirendeavours tobring about necessary reforms totheir
economies andpropuptheircapital market. Fourth, thedeveloped countries need toshare with
developing countries their experience andexpertise inareas such asinfrastructure development,
telecommunications, etc.Effective schemes should bedevised forthediffusion ofknowledge andthe
transfer oftechnology.
Wecommend Mr.Renato Ruggiero theDirector-General ofWTO forhisefforts tomobilize
support andresources toassist LDCs. TheAction Planhehasproposed isastepintherightdirection.
ItisourhopethatthePlanwillbeendorsed bythisConference.
Itismydelegation'scontentionthatsincemanyWTOMembersarestillgrapplingwithproblems
ofimplementingtheUruguayRoundAgreements,itwouldthereforebeover-stretchingthemtointroduce
theso-called "new issues" ontheWTO agenda. Thiswould notonlyoverload theWTO agenda, but
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itwould alsoupset thebalanced package oftheUruguay Round Agreements. Theintroduction oflabour
standards intheinternational trade regime would haveanegative impact oneconomic growth and
development andwillimpose anunjustifiable economic andsocial burden onthedeveloping countries.
Itisourconviction thattheappropriate forum tolookintolabour andsocial issues istheInternational
Labour Organization (ILO) which hastherequisite competence andexpertise inthearea.
Wefeelitispremature toconsider proposals thatcould leadtoamultilateral investment
agreement under theframework oftheWorld Trade Organization (WTO). Theinvestment issue is
verycomplex andmustbelooked atcarefully. AtMidrand, UNCTAD wasgiven amandate tostudy
theissue andthedevelopment dimension. Itisonlywhen theUNCTAD process hastaken itscourse
thatmostofourcountries candiscuss thisproblem meaningfully taking intoaccount alltheimplications.
Iwish toreaffirm Uganda 'scommitment totrade liberalization andtheprinciples ofthe
multilateral trading system. Thecomprehensive economic reforms undertaken alongside ourdemocratic
process overthepastdecade isamanifestation ofUganda 'scommitment totrade liberalization.
Itisourhopethateverybody complies withtherulesofthegame andplays fairly. Weinthe
developing world expect thatourpleagoesdeepdown theconscience ofthedeveloped countries and
doesnotjustremain amatter fortherecord oftheSingapore Ministerial Conference andeventually
disappear intooblivion.