The Ministerial Conference is the highest decision-making body of the WTO, which is organized every two years. The conference has jurisdiction to make decisions issues under WTO the multilateral trade. The tenth Ministerial Conference discussed on various issues including: Director-General’s letter to journalist; agriculture; accessions; anti-dumping, safeguard, subsidies; cotton; dispute settlement; E-commerce; environment; Government Procurement Agreement; Information Technology Agreement; intellectual property; least-developed countries; non-agricultural market access; regional trade agreement, services and trade facilitation.
At the meeting, H. E. Mme. Khemmani Pholsena, Minister of Industry and Commerce of the Lao PDR reported to the conference on progress, achievements, benefits and challenges of Lao PDR in the implementation of WTO’ s obligations since Lao PDR ratified its membership in February 2013. Lao PDR also ratified the Trade Facilitation Agreement in September 2015 which covers 38 trade measures with that it is expected that WTO members will further provide supports the Lao PDR on technical training, overcoming challenging, and assistance to private sector.
In the conference, 23 WTO members reached an agreement on Information Technology Agreement to remove tariffs on over 200 technology-communication products which covers 65% of all products. This will enter into force immediately on 1 July 2016 and as for the remaining products their tariff will be gradually reduced to 0% within 5 years. The tariff reduction will contribute to an annual global trade for approximately $1.3 trillion (around 7% of total global trade). Removing barriers to trade in these products will create opportunities for all WTO members and will accelerate the trade on technology.
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