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1. Doha Development Agenda: Trade Policy Message
Delegates are invited to consider the short note prepared by the Secretariat as input to the discussion in the Committee of the 2005 Trade Policy Message from the Chairman to the MCM. Following discussion in the Trade Committee, a draft text of the message will be circulated for comment under the written procedure. It is aimed to finalise the text of the message on Friday 8 April. The Trade message will provide the basis for input to the “OECD Statement to the follow-up of UN Millennium and Monterrey Declarations” to be adopted at the next MCM. A preliminary draft of the declaration will be available as a room document.
2. Special and Differential Treatment
The scoping paper outlines the content and timetable of a proposed element of future work on special and differential treatment. The document proposes to examine and analyse different forms of S&D instruments, exploring two key questions: (1) what are the range of differing problems faced by developing countries in participating in international trade?; and, (2) to what extent might the difficulties faced by them be addressed by different forms of S&D? This scoping paper is submitted for discussion and decision.
3. Work in Progress
The Secretariat will update Delegates on developments in ongoing work. The Chairman of the Working Party of the Trade Committee will report on the main thrust of work since the last meeting of the Trade Committee and the Secretariat is at the Trade Committee’s disposal to answer any questions that Delegates may wish to raise.
4. Trade and Structural Adjustment (TASAP)
The Trade Committee discussed an earlier version of the Trade and Structural Adjustment Project (TASAP) study at its meeting in October 2004. In light of Delegate’s comments at that meeting and subsequently, together with input received at a Global Forum in Thailand in November 2004 and a Technical Workshop on 7 February 2005, the text has been extensively revised and extended. At the Technical Workshop, about twenty external experts contributed to the discussion and provided technical advice on the analysis put forward. A number of Delegates to the Working Party of the Trade Committee as well as BIAC and TUAC representatives also participated in the discussion.
In addition to the revised full text, a short brochure, drawing out the key messages on recommended good practice from the full text, has been drafted to serve as background material for the forthcoming Ministerial Council Meeting.
Delegates are invited to note the revised full text and to comment on the draft brochure. Any changes made to the brochure as a result of Delegates` comments will be reflected in a further revision of the full text.
5. Trade Committee Consultation with BIAC (Business and Industry Advisory Committee to the OECD)
The exchange of views at this informal consultation with members of BIAC will cover two main topics:
1. Trade and Corporate Social Responsibility
2. DDA: Priorities of the Business Community
Other topics of current interest may also be raised.
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