World Trade Organization (WTO)
WTO Doha Round Bulletin
Week ending 27 August 2004 (Issue 2004/28)
This bulletin, summarising key WTO Doha Round-related activities, is issued by the Office of Trade Negotiations, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Key Issues
Preparations for next phase of services negotiations
The July Framework Package reaffirmed members' commitment to progress in the services negotiations in line with the Doha Mandate. The framework called on members who had not yet submitted initial offers to do so as soon as possible. Members who have already submitted offers are asked to improve them, ensuring that their offers are high quality and comprehensive. Members are asked to aim to progressively increase liberalisation with no a priori exclusion of any service sector or mode of supply. Revised offers should be tabled by May 2005. Australia submitted its initial services offer on 31 March 2003 and plans to submit a revised offer by the May deadline. We are also encouraging our trading partners to submit new or revised offers. In preparation, Australian officials are currently consulting widely with stakeholders.
A visit by Mr Hamid Mamdouh, Director Trade in Services Division, WTO, is being planned for October 2004. While in Australia Mr Mamdouh will participate in the UNESCO/OECD Australia Forum on Trade in Education Services in Sydney. Mr Mamdouh will also visit Canberra and Melbourne and meet with a range of stakeholders, including industry and non-government organisation representatives.
The visit by Mr Mamdouh is part of the Australian Government's commitment to ensure that the Australian community and domestic stakeholders are well informed about the opportunities that the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) and the multilateral trading system present.
Further information on the UNESCO/OECD Australia Forum on Trade in Education Services can be found at: http://www.detya.gov.au/UNESCO-OECD/australiaforum.htm
Forthcoming meetings in Geneva
AUGUST
31 Dispute Settlement Body
SEPTEMBER
15 Trade Policy Review Body – Korea
16-17 Textiles Monitoring Body
17 Trade Policy Review Body - Korea
Contact Us
Trade Policy Section
Office of Trade Negotiations
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
BARTON ACT 0221
Fax: (02) 6261 3514
or e-mail trade.consult@dfat.gov.au
This bulletin is issued by the Office of Trade Negotiations, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. It summarises key WTO Doha Round-related activities over the past week.